PENNY-WISE
Xke Official Publication of Early American Coppers, Inc.
Volume XLIX Numb er 1
P anuary
2015
Consecutive Issue #279
Copyrlgkt 2015 Karly American Coppers, Inc. All Rigkts Reserved.
List of Club Officials
TABLE OF
3
Introduction by the Editor
4
Original Articles
Jack Conour
5
Harry E. Salyards
9
Jim Neiswinter
17
Meetings and Membership Notes
Harry Salyards and Bill Eckberg
19
Mark Borckardt
19
Ray Rouse
20
Nathan Markowitz
20
Ray Rouse
21
Mike Packard
23
David Johnson
23
Bim Gander, Chuck Heck, and Dan Trollan
25
Steve Carr and Doug Bird
25
Steve Carr and Doug Bird
25
Greg Fitzgibbon
25
Chuck Heck
26
Chuck Heck and John Kraljevich
27
Bim Gander
27
Miscellaneous Collector Notes
Dennis Fuoss
28
Chuck Heck
30
Ray Rouse
31
Letters to the Editors
Dane Nielsen
33
Q. David Bowers
33
Swaps and Sales
33
CONTENTS
Die States of 1816 Large Cents. Part Two: N6 - N9
The Large Cent Correspondenee of John W. Adams. Part
Three: January Through June, 1973
Crosby’s Signature
A New Look for Penny-Wise
Early Ameriean Coppers Convention Dallas (Irving), TX,
April 30-May 3, 2015
Call For Exhibits - EAC 2015
Call For Speakers - EAC 2015
Half Cent Happenings at EAC
The 2015 Half Cent Happening Varieties
The 2015 Large Cent Happening Varieties
Boyz of ‘94 Meeting in Dallas
Grading and Counterfeit Deteetion Seminar - EAC 2015
ANA Summer Course
EAC Region 3 Meeting in Baltimore
What Every Spouse Should Know About Their Spouse’s
Coin Collection - 2015
The Garvin Fund
Candidates for Membership
Copper Trends
In Search of Robert D. Book
Collecting Rejects
Announcing Publication of
the Long-Awaited
EAC Grading Guide
The first book published by EAC
All procedes accrue to the
EAC Garvin Fund
for education and outreach
192 pages packed with information
needed by every copper collector
Learn to grade like
an early copper professional
Avoid bad buying decisions
EAC grading standards are illustrated in full color from AG-UNC for all half
and large cent types and for the state and federal coinages under the
Articles of Confederation.
EAC net grading is fully explained and illustrated.
EAC and commercial standards for sharpness are compared.
Cover price: $54.95 + $5 P&H
Price to EAC or C4 members in good standing: $49.95 + $5 P&H
Price to NY address for EAC or C4 members in good standing: $49.95 + $5 P&H + Applicable NY sales tax on $54.95
(EAC is a NY State not-for-profit corporation and as such must charge NY sales tax on the purchase price and
shipping charge for eveij' book delivered to a New York address.)
Send check or money order to:
EAC
PO Box 2462
Heath, OH 43056
CLUB OFFICIALS
National Officers
President Bill Eckberg (lialfcent@mac.com)
PO Box 222338, West Palm Beach, FL 33422 (703)577-7066
Vice President Chuck Heck (check48@comcast.net)
PO Box 3498, Lantana, FL 33465
Secretary: Denis Loring (dwloring@aol.com)
PO Box 32115, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420
Treasurer: Emily Matuska (rmatuska@roadrunner.com)
PO Box 2462, Heath, OH 43056
Editor of Penny-Wise: Harry E. Salyards (hpsalyar@tcgcs.com)
PO Box 1691 Hastings, NE 68902
National Positions
Membership Chairman: Bim Gander (bimgander@gmail.com)
12770 NW Steelhead Falls Drive, Terrebonne, OR 97760
Historian: Mark Borckardt (markb@heritagegalleries.com)
1625 Warm Springs Dr., Allen, TX 75002
Sunshine Committee: David Console (dbconsolo@sbcglobal.net)
37860 Aurora Rd., Solon, OH 44139
Regional Chairs and Secretaries
Region 1: New England:
Chairman: Howard Barron (halfcentl@verizon.net)
Secretary: George Trostel (GGus24@sbcglobal.net)
Region 2: New York-New Jersey:
Chairman: Glenn Marx (GMari@aol.com)
Secretary: Jim Neiswinter (j_neiswinter@hotmail.com)
Region 3: Mid-Atlantic (PA, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC)
Chairman: Brett Dudek (bad_30_99@yahoo.com)
Secretary: Greg Fitzgibbon (FitzgGl@aol.com)
Region 4: Southeast (SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN)
Chairman: Donna Levin (levindonna@att.net)
Secretary: Grady Frisby (frisbyco@yahoo.com)
Region 5: North Central (MI, OH, KY, IN, IF, WI, MN, lA, NE, SD, ND)
Chairman: Scott Barrett (Lawman3212@aol.com)
Secretary: Leo Courshon (LePaBeBa84@comcast.net)
Region 6: South Central (KS, MO, AR, LA, TX, OK, NM, CO)
Chairman: Russ Butcher (mrbbl794@sbcglobal.net)
Secretary: Chris McCawley (cmccawley@aol.com)
Region 7: West (WY, MT, ID, UT, NV, AZ, CA, OR, WA, AK, HI)
Chairman: Bryan Yamasaki (millenniumllc@juno.com)
Secretary: Ron Shintaku (b737pic@yahoo.com)
Region 8: Internet
Chairman: Matt Yohe (region8@eacs.org)
Webmaster: Tom Deck (info@eacs.org)
The Board of Governors is composed of the 5 National Officers and the 8 Regional Chairs.
Penny-Wise has been published regularly since September 1967. Its founding editor was Warren A. Lapp (1915-
1993). Harry E. Salyards has served as Editor-in-Chief since 1986. Contributing Editors: Denis W. Loring, John
D. Wright and William R. Eckberg.
Printed by Advance Graphics and Printing, Chandler, OK
3
INTRODUCTION BY THE EDITOR: SO, WHEN DID ^TINE” BECOME A DOG?
Harry E. Salyards
"‘Fine condition is probably the most widely collected
circulated condition. All of the major design is usually
visible. . .Fine condition often represents an attractive
compromise between the cost of a coin and the avail¬
ability of all the design features. Thus it is a very popu¬
lar condition, and many collect by this grade. ”
-James F. Ruddy, 1974
The last 35 years have not been kind to the psyche
of the average collector. Everywhere we turn, we are
bombarded with images of unimaginable rarities in in¬
conceivable condition. The trend started, I think, with
Garrett I, in the fall of 1979. Even in the black-and-white
half-tone illustrations of the era, it was clear there was
something extraordinary, here: coins that looked like the
plates in major references. Coins that looked like some¬
thing out of a museum collection—^wait! That’s what
they were!
Those coins had been out of ‘collector circulation’
for close to a century. They reflected the best available
in 1879, not just 1979! That ‘time warp,’ and the infla¬
tion-fed hysteria that accompanied it, understandably
drove prices through the roof—the imaginary ceiling
for that era. Subsequent decades have seen that ceiling
shattered again and again. And other collections of flfty,
sixty, seventy years’ standing have come to market—
John Ford’s, R. Tettenhorst’s, Eric Newman’s. Again—
material of museum quality. The kind of coins most of
us can merely ogle, without a chance of reaching for the
checkbook. But think of some of the other things men
have been noted to ogle, and you’ll see the problem with
this: fantasy overwhelming reality—the outstanding be¬
ing the enemy of the good.
Or in this case, the “Fine.”
Let’s go back even farther, to 1962. Original Coin
World “Collectors’ Clearinghouse” editor James G.
Johnson polled a number of leading numismatists, from
Breen and Bowers to Stack and Steinberg, seeking con¬
sensus on a number of grading deflnitions. The results
were originally published in Coin World December 14
of that year (and later, in his compendium of columns.
Fair to Very Fine, 1978). Respondents were given the
opportunity to Agree without reservation. Agree with
reservation, or Disagree to a narrative description of
each grade, as well as a Warning Statement suggesting
close inspection of any coin offered as “Uncirculated.”
Comments abound at most grading levels, some of them
acerbic. Here’s John Ford on the “Uncirculated” versus
“cleaned” warning: “Bunk. I consider any coin cleaned
that looks cleaned. Anything else is ‘restoration.’ ”
But Johnson’s deflnition of a “Fine” coin was unique
for no one among his panel of experts out-and-out dis¬
agreeing with it: “Sharp and desirable coin; general
appearance most important as this is the lowest grade
that is really ‘nice.’ Sharpness is essential, regardless of
other details. Obvious defects or uneven wear reduce it
to VG or even Good, as does any aspect that makes a
coin not ‘desirable.’ Wear on high spots readily visible
to the naked eye.”
Now of course, there’s lots of subjectivity in words
such as “obvious” or “desirable.” But the point is, this is
the description of a nice coin, a coin a collector would
want to add to his or her collection. And—to recur to
Ruddy’s point—a coin that won’t break the bank. Most
deflnitely, not a ‘dog.’
And yet, how many people would see it that way, to¬
day? Why restudy that Fine coin in your collection—or
more importantly, seek out comparable coins to add to
it, whether at a coin show or on line—^when the internet
archives of the major auction houses, replete with their
images of six- and seven-flgure treasures, are just a few
mouse clicks away? I can see this becoming a kind of
addiction, not unlike some less-savory types of ‘surf¬
ing.’ Sating your appetite with digital images you can
never hope to hold, in reality. And diminishing anything
less, as somehow unworthy of being collected.
We copper people bear some responsibility in all of
this. We were the original custodians of the Condition
Census. If those Six Finest were only desired by a pool
of perhaps flfty serious collectors, the odds were still
manageable. One of those—or something very close—
might indeed come your way. But even expanded to a
Top Twelve, or to dealer-assigned rankings like “CC-
19,” the odds are seriously against you—^with over a
thousand EAC’ers, and the wider pool of Red Book col¬
lectors, and the deep-pockets of the Registry Set com¬
petitors. So when we lament that we can no longer af¬
ford a Mint State 1796 S-119 from the Nichols Hoard,
we should realize that it’s because we’ve been success¬
ful in promoting our niche in numismatics.
But if coin collecting is to endure as a broadly ap¬
pealing activity, we need to do our part to turn the focus
back onto the kinds of coins lots of people can aspire
Continued on page 32
4
DIE STATES OF 1816 LARGE CENTS
Part Two: N-5 through N-9
Jack Concur
Editor’s Note : As with Part One, which appeared
in the October Penny-Wise, this article is based
upon one by Jim Roecker which appeared in Pen¬
ny-Wise Vol. XXV: 176 (1991). Roecker’s origi¬
nal text is in bold type; the author’s supplemental
observations appear in a different, non-bold font.
Variety N5
STATE I - Obverse and reverse dentils
clear.
STATE III - Dentils are almost com¬
pletely gone on both obverse and
reverse. Flowlines through legend on
reverse are stronger.
The die states for this variety are fairly straightforward
and well illustrated by the examples.
Variety N6
STATE II - Dentils are weaker both
obverse and reverse. Reverse flowlines
can be seen.
STATE I - Obverse and reverse dentils
are clear. Spur on loop of 6 is still
clear.
In addition early die states have clear, non-fused dentils
below the ribbon on the reverse.
The following example is one which shows the dentils
just beginning to fuse.
iei6 m VFao/25
state II: Weaker dentils (1/2 - 2/3), repunctied
N in CENT starting to weaken, same flow lines
reverse in ERIC^ seme stars drawing to the
ribbon, here 7-11
From CVM Portend EAC, S/14/11
5
Variety N7
1816 N& VF30+/25
State I; FuH dentils witti three below tip of
ribboo on reverse early fusing If at all, spur
on “O'* is dear
Lot 376 EAC Sale, Portland, 5/14/11
STATE II - Spur on loop of 6 is still
clear. The dentils below tip of rib¬
bon are fused.
Die State tl: spur on “6." >!4 dentils,
strong radial flow lines and drawing
of stars. Goldbe rg AucKon 1/26/14,
Lot 704
1816 N6 XF4a+/40
STATE III - Latest state seen with
spur on 6 gone along with most den¬
tils on obverse and reverse.
STATE I - Dot on 6 and arc line below
the O in ONE. Clash marks seen within
wreath. Dentils fairly clear.
STATE II - Dot on 6, clash marks and
arc line gone due to polishing of
dies. Dentilation both obverse and
reverse weak.
The following example illustrates that this variety may
well qualify for a Die State 3 given weak dentilation,
lapped die, no spur on “6” - this is an example from the
Holmes Sale. This is the only example that I have seen
with the top left of the “T” in “STATES” all but gone.
I have seen several examples with drawn stars on the
obverse and drawn letters and reverse flow lines thru the
letters with the “T” intact.
6
laiS NT MS 60+ The dentils are nearly gone from both sides and the left lop of
the second T in STATES has been lapped off the die," per the Holmes catalog. Ex:
Superior 1/29/89: 3115—J.R. Frankenfeld—McCawley & Grellman/Supeiior
2/17/01:630—Daniel W. Holmes^olmes Sale II, Lot 16, 5/30/11
1816 NS XF45/40
State II: Single, Strong Cud at Stars 11-12,
repunched 8, protrusion on “6” Is strong
Ex: F. B. King-Henry Chapman 12/19/27:184 -
Floyd t Starr, Stacks 12/6/84:1555; Daniel W
Holmes Sale 3^0/10:19.
Variety N8
This variety is likely the most reeognized for die states
due to the various cuds that are frequently seen and the
fact that this variety is not scarce.
STATE I - Perfect obverse dies. A
faint reverse crack through NITED ST.
This die state can offer some relatively impressive ex¬
amples of the dentilation, re-punched date digits, and
even star doubling.
STATE II - Rim break between 11th and
12th stars just beginning. Reverse
crack heavier.
This cud comes in various degrees of intensity from
the above heavy one, to much lighter as shown in the
following example.
1816 N6 VF3S/25 State II: Single, light cud, repunchIng of “S" is visible
but light, protrusion on is strong
Ex: Dr. William Sheldon, Stacks 1928 Auotion-Floyd Starr,
Stack’s 12/4/84:1557-M&G Auctions 1/8/94:247- John D. Wright Collection,
EAC Sale 4/18/09:220-J3Ck Concur
STATE III - Rim break between 11th and
12th stars heavier. A rim break now
seen over star 9 to nearly star 10.
1816 N8 XF40/VF35+- Noyes Plate. Ex. Clinton Hollins to Jack Robinson
Superior1/30/89;663 - Dennis Mendelson Superior 2/3/91212 - Walt Dudgeon
EAC Sale 1/9/93:143- CVM Superior 9/21,22/98:1283 - CVM to Michael
Agneta 12/16/9B - CVM from Agneta (late 2003) to Jack Conour 12/29/03
State III with 2 Cuds, Staro 11-12 and 8-10, repunching of "'S'" b faint, some
slight pulling of stars 9-13 and “ICA” on reverse, and die crack on reverse thru
"NITED &sr is strong
7
STATE IV
- Rim breaks obverse the
same^ also some dentil fusing between
3rd and 4th star. An additional break
on the reverse over M.
vm:
^ -y \V-L * '
iei6NSXF45/40
State IV: Triple Cud: Stars 3-4, 8.5-10,11-12, repunchIng of “8" is
gone
Ex: Jack Collins, Bowers and Ruddy 1/25/83;54S-R. S. Bmwn, Jr.,
Superior 9/30/86;452-John D. Wright-Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley
4/3/06-D W Holmes 5/06; Daniel W Holmes Sale 3/30/10:21.
STATE II - Repunching at the date and
dentilation still clear. Flowlines and
roughness now present through reverse
legend.
Variety N9
This variety is also quite interesting in that it runs the
gamut of die deterioration - from a crisp near perfect
example to a mushy distorted specimen.
STATE I - Repunching at the date and
the dentilation are sharp. No flowlines
through the legend on reverse.
STATE III - Repunching at date weak.
Dentils are weak with some missing on
both obverse and reverse. Some stars
are drawn to rim.
STATE IV - Rims are now dished and
stars are drawn to rim.
1816 N9 XF45/40-(-
LDS, State IV
Weak Dentils, stars drawn to rim, rims dished, repunching at "8”
and “1" gone, reverse letters in AMERICA drawn to rim
From Doug Bind at 2010 EAC Convention. Annapolis. 4/24/10
8
THE LARGE CENT CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN W. ADAMS
PART THREE: JANUARY THROUGH JUNE, 1973
Harry E.
The early weeks of 1973 find John engaging in a
number of visits to institutions with numismatie hold¬
ings, prominent among them Johns Hopkins University.
Nearly a year earlier (February 2, 1972), he had written
a letter to “Dr. Freeman” at Evergreen House, express¬
ing “a serious interest in viewing a portion of the [eol-
leetion]. My most speeifie interest is 1794 Large Cents,
followed by the Liberty Cap Series 1793-1796. . .1
would emphasize that I am a colleetor and not a dealer.”
No return eorrespondenee exists in the file, but the eopy
of John’s letter is heavily annotated in his own hand, in¬
eluding several phone numbers, and above the lined-out
“Dr. Freeman,” the name “Carl Carlson” in large print.
A visit date of Mareh 1, 1972 was suggested. Appar¬
ently, this did not work out, and it was mueh later in the
year or even the first week of 1973 before he was able
to view the eolleetion—for on January 10, he writes to
Carl Carlson at Evergreen House, Baltimore:
“Onee again let me say thanks for the Baltimore
hospitality. Next trip down, I hope I shall have the op¬
portunity of repaying my debt in a small way by taking
you out to luneh. I hope you have gotten, or will get, a
ehanee to elean your remaining Large Cents, [no euphe-
mistie talk of “eurating,” here!—Ed.] If the opportunity
does not arise, I would always be happy to eome down
and finish off the job. . .My eonseienee will not permit
those lovely eents to languish unattended in the base¬
ment. If you reeall, your file eard indieated that all of the
1794s have been aequired prior to the death of Thomas
Garrett in 1888. I think this information is not eorreet
and that I will be able to traee some of these eoins to
sales whieh took plaee at a later date. Your pietures
should be a great help to me on this little projeet. Please
remember that if your budget for aneient coins requires
buttressing, I would be happy to bid on all of the Large
Cents (less whatever type material is required by you)
or just for a few of the coins as the case might be. In this
connection, you might be interested in the approximate
value of some of the pieces; assuming that all the coins
“brushed up” as per our work on Wednesday, I would
be willing to pay $3500 for the Hays-3 [S-18b] of 1794,
$500 for the Hays-9 [S-52], $3000 for the Hays-42 [S-
40], etc.”
A followup letter of February 20 to Carl Carlson
tells the outcome:
“I greatly enjoyed spending the day with you yes-
Salyards
terday and, needless to say, I am most excited about my
new acquisitions. Enclosed is my check for $15,650 in
payment for Sheldon Nos. 12, 18b, 19b, 26, 35, 40, 43,
50, 52, 62, 66, and 71. I only hope that you will make
many more additions to the ancient field so that you will
be once again divesting duplicates in U. S. copper.” Of
the eleven 1794s in this listing, seven were to subse¬
quently appear in the 1982 FPL of John’s collection,
graded in that sale as follows: S-18b (lot 5), MS65; S-
19b (lot 6), VF35; S-26 (lot 19), MS60; S-40 (lot 30),
MS63; S-43 (lot 35), AU50; S-50 (lot 45), AU50; S-66
(lot 67), F12; and S-71 (lot 74), MS65. [One should re¬
call that this was nearly seven years before the ‘first’
Garrett Collection Sale (November 1979) lit a major fire
under the copper market! And when John refers to “du¬
plicates,” he clearly means “duplicates dated 1794,” as
Garrett I, November 1979, included none of these 1794
varieties. —Ed.] Nor was John above being a little coy
when he sent a note to Gordon Wrubel two days later, in¬
cluding a list of “CC Coins at Johns Hopkins ”—without
mentioning that he now owned seven of them!
On February 27, Carl W. A. Carlson replies, on the
letterhead of JOHN WORK GARRETT LIBRARY OF
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY,
“It was nice talking to you again yesterday. Sorry
about the foul-up on the check, but this place is usu¬
ally somewhat disorganized. I was over at the Subur¬
ban Washington Coin Convention last Friday, otherwise
would have received the check then. Enclosed are the 12
coins. Hope you still like them as much as you did last
week. It has been a real pleasure doing business with
you. I learned a lot about the large cents from listening
to you, and my interest in them has grown accordingly.
I will most certainly let you know first if and when we
decide to dispose of any more.”
On March 6, John acknowledges receipt of the
coins:
“Those 12 lovely Large Cents arrived in perfect con¬
dition. Needless to say, the arrival was an event which
I had been looking forward to with great anticipation.
Remembering back a couple of weeks when you left
me off in Baltimore at the Railroad Station, I had that
sinking feeling that perhaps I had paid too much for the
coins involved. However, now that I have the coins in
my possession and can see them again, I think the deal
9
was a fair one for me as well as for you. In faet, sinee
the 1793 eent, after a good brushing, has proved to be
somewhat better in eondition than deseribed in Walter
Breen’s notes, I probably eame out of everything with
a small edge. This will be refleeted in a future offer¬
ing if, as now planned, you deeide to make one. You
will be interested to hear that the Hays-3 [S-18b] and
the Hays-21 [S-26] eame out of the Parmalee Sale of
1890. Seeing that Thomas Garrett died in 1888, I won¬
der if there aren’t reeords somewhere in your arehives
of subsequent transaetions made by John Garrett.” [In¬
terestingly, the pedigrees in the Breen Large Cent Ency¬
clopedia refleet this information on the S-18b, but not
on the S-26, whieh is still pedigreed to Thomas Garrett
in 1884: seepp. 101, 134—Ed.]
Early in 1973, John also visited the Carnegie Mu¬
seum in Pittsburgh, and exehanged a number of letters
with its business manager, Mr. W. W. Woodside. Sinee
that institution housed eoins donated by George H.
Clapp, mueh of the attention foeused on Clapp. Wood-
side had obviously known him personally, and eom-
ments (Mareh 23),
“Mr. Clapp was a thoroughly delightful man who
was possessed of a great sense of humor as well as great
business acumen and a gigantic determination to carry
his work on any problem to a satisfactory conclusion.
Witness his collection of early cents and his not so well
known studies in conchology.” A second, handwritten
note of the same day excitedly adds: “Found an oppor¬
tunity to go through Clapp’s books and found much —
really too much to photocopy, especially as most of it
does not concern itself with 1794 cents. Much corre¬
spondence with Newcomb & Hines, some others with
[Robert D.] Book, Mehl, French, etc. Really something
for Dr. Sheldon to go through. . .[also] I found, in one
letter, a fine 1796 cent which hadn’t been unearthed be¬
fore (since we got his collection & library in 1950)!!!”
Not counting misplaced cents falling out of envelopes
(!), John had already ranked the Carnegie collection
(March 16), “Counting museum collections only, your
large cents would appear to be second to A.N.S. in terms
of completeness. Johns Hopkins would, in my experi¬
ence, edge into second place if the criterion was condi¬
tion. However, looking at just these three collections,
I believe that Carnegie has done by far the best job of
storage and preservation.”
At the time, John was working on his article on
Clapp which was to appear in Penny-Wise VII, No. 3,
May 1973: “The American Numismatic Society and
Mr. Clapp.” On April 6, he encloses a copy of his draft
to Woodside, adding, “My reasons for suggesting that
his large cent fever took hold in 1921 are both drawn
from the French catalog: 1. In a note in the Preface to
that catalog, he writes, Tn fact, I began my collection in
1921.’ 2. On page 39, Lot No. 176 of the French Cata¬
log, he writes, ‘My study of 1798 covers a period of
nearly nine years.’ The date of the annotation is May
1930.1 would appreciate any thoughts you have on this
particular point.”
Woodside replies (April 9), “I enclose a photocopy
of a 1929 biographical sketch in which Mr. Clapp’s
birthdate is given as Dec. 14, 1858, at Allegheny City,
PA. . .1 won’t quarrel with his statement that he was not
‘hooked’ on big coppers until 1921—he would have
known best. But, of course, the ‘coin bug’ bit years be¬
fore.”
John writes Woodside again on April 26: “Dr. Shel¬
don and Mrs. Paschal were genuinely thrilled by my
copy of Clapp on the Dr. French Sale. They have been
so nice to me over a period of time that I had no choice
but to offer it as a gift, which was very readily and grate¬
fully accepted. Therefore, I am enclosing a check for
$25 in hopes that it will be possible to Xerox the catalog
in question once again. . .1 do apologize for putting you
people to work and promise not to go into the business
of marketing this remarkable document.”
“Bill Woodside” replies to John on May 3, “I’ve
had a delay in getting the original copied again—due
entirely to a press of work with the Library’s photocopy
dept.—^but Anally received it today and am posting it
to you at once by certifled first class mail. The original
had a number of letters filed in its pages, and I have
also enclosed copies of ten of these. The balance are
from Hines, for the most part, in almost illegible long-
hand, and are chiefly concerned with pieces of his which
Clapp was classifying for him.”
Years before the “Boyz of ’94,” Darwin Palmer
(January 26, 1973) suggests the establishment of “an
informal group of collectors who specialize in or are in¬
tensely interested in the science of the most extensive
one-date series of American coins.” John’s February 6
reply raises a caution: “My first reaction is that it would
tend to exaggerate the already inflated values for the
date. At any rate, for the time being, count me as inter¬
ested but somewhat skeptically neutral on the question.”
Darwin responds on February 10: “Glad to receive your
letter. So far, Schuman, Nielsen, Silberman, Bush and
yourself have responded. I feel there are about a dozen
true 1794 enthusiasts who will end up belonging to the
group.. .1 don’t feel we will inflate much due to the small
size of the group [and] we could talk or write prior to a
sale and decide the auction strategy.” Ten respondents’
10
comments are summarized in Darwin’s followup letter
of Mareh 15. Willard Blaisdell’s was the most detailed:
“I am all for your plan. I have done intensive re-
seareh on the 1794’s going baek to 1858. At a later date,
I will send a list of my 1794’s whieh, however, must
remain Confidential. I offered to buy the entire Homer
Downing Colleetion of Large Cents before his death,
and he sent me a sheet of his holdings. . .After Mr.
Downing’s death, I again approaehed his Widow with
an offer to buy but was turned down after appraising the
same. . .1 do not know whether you have been following
Hollinbeek - Kagin sales for the last several years, but
suggest you get eopies of the last 4 to 5 eatalogs with
priee lists. If these are bona fide priees and aetual sales
the basal values whieh Coring and Wright are working
on are far too low and on the 1793’s and 1794’s in par-
tieular the auetion priees realized are fantastie.”
Dane Nielsen suggested “that the group does not
expand to everyone interested in this year; i.e., 6-10 of
us who really pursue them.” And that “we form a com¬
bine to avoid auetion suicide.” To whieh Darwin added,
“ note : Dane please explain how to do this?” Bob (“19-
B”) Schuman thought “the idea is fantastic. P-W does
not and should not concentrate on this year.” [The “19-
B” referenee is to Bob’s eherry pieking the misattributed
“S-18b” in the Masters sale back in 1971. See Penny-
Wise V, No. 4, July 1971, espeeially pages 130-138.—
Ed.] Ned Bush wrote, “the idea of seeing perhaps 6 dif¬
ferent pressings of die progressions for the same variety
sounds incredible.” Del Bland expressed an interest in
“eommunicat[ing] with the group even if I don’t qualify
for membership. Running the CC down to 12 eents is an
exeellent idea: so many of the first 6 are in eolleetions of
individuals who do not wish to be known or who don’t
show or tell.” Herb Silberman, Denis Coring, and Gor¬
don Wrubel all responded favorably. But Robbie Brown
added a eaution: “I do not feel it benefieial to all to have
an exelusive group within EAC. There are advantages to
speeializing but the way you put it in your letter it would
beeome a elique and a little selfish if allowed to contin¬
ue.” Darwin elaborated on one partieular benefit: “The
idea of pressings or photos of top speeimens would help
us authenticate any stolen cent or to grade a new find.
Members having pressings and photos could use them
as educational tools to show collectors and dealers alike.
This way a elaimed CC5 VF 25 or 30 can be eorreetly
plaeed at F 12 to 15. This is a difficult task to explain
and then try to buy the eoin!”
Mentioning Dr. Bob Sehuman, John’s correspon-
denee file ineludes a number of long handwritten letters
from him, beginning with one on January 28. After in-
trodueing himself as a 27 year old radiology resident, he
outlines his 1794 eolleeting goals: “My goal is to eom-
plete a set of 1794’s of grades 20-40 and brown eolor
with elean surfaee and essentially free of edge damage.
Of eourse, I know that’s not possible but it’s what I
strive for. I’ve tried to buy seleetively only eoins that fit
the above deseription. . .1 would rather buy a niee elean
brown VF30 Rl, R2, or R3 rather than a G-VG R6. .
.To me, there are many things eontributing to the desir¬
ability of a 1794—^but the most important is the natural
beauty of the eent itself, more so than its inherent rarity
whieh, however, ean make a beautiful 1794 more beau¬
tiful. Not that I wouldn’t love to have, say, an S-37 in
any grade. What I mean is, that I disagree, in philoso¬
phy, with people who seek ‘one of eaeh variety’ regard¬
less of eondition.” He goes on to list seven highlights of
his eolleetion:
S-19b EF40 (as graded by Dane & Del) ex-Masters
S-21 EF40
S-42 ex-NN 50^ VF25
S-46 ex-Neweomb, Holmes (Chapman plate) EF40-
45
S-56 VF25, ex-Hays (reverse Hays plate 1893),
Stearns
S-62 ex-Warfield VF20
S-63 ex-Sartoris, Bland (I think you’ve seen this
one)”
John replies on February 12, “I got quite a kiek out
of your letter and appreciate very much your sending
it. Julie Leidman had given me your name in connee-
tion with 1794s and I have meant to catch up when an
opportunity occurred. Congratulations on your Masters
S-19b. You ean imagine how red faeed I and a few oth¬
ers were to have been eaught asleep at the switeh. In
the unlikely event you eould ever be persuaded to part
with this coin, I am simply dotty on heads of 1793 and
would be willing to make a tempting trade.. .My special
hang-up on 94s is pedigree. As a result my library has
grown to outrageous proportions, plus sheaves of notes
which attempt to reloeate today outstanding eolleetions
of the past. . .You shouldn’t disparage your own eollee¬
tion whieh, if it eontained only the coins listed, would be
something to brag about. I have seen the S-63 (whieh I
grade XF-45 if memory serves) and had really hoped to
own it some day as it was the first of the variety which
I had seen on totally good metal. . .Like the 18b’s, the
nice S-63s rarely make a public appearance.”
Bob Sehuman’s next is dated February 25: “I wanted
to wait until after the L.A. convention and EAC meet¬
ing before writing baek and I’m glad I did. As far as
1794’s go, it was the best show I’ve seen in years (in
11
some respects maybe the greatest ever—as you’ll hear.)
The EAC meeting was also great—mainly because of
the appearance of Ted Naftzger who talked about some
of his coins and showed some others. I think he really
enjoyed himself and so did I as he, Dane and myself
talked about 1794’s for hours. As far as 1794’s are con¬
cerned, two important coins were turned up, not that I
put them in the same class. I’ll tell you about mine first
so as not to overshadow it. Sitting among several other
1794’s, mostly VF20-25’s and overpriced for that grade,
was an absolutely beautiful S-58. . .After a little brush¬
ing, even Dane conceded that the coin is just about a 45.
Needless to say, it made the weekend for me. In a way,
it was also a well-needed consolation considering the
other coin that turned up: S-17a, lustrous dark brown
with virtually no wear—sharpness of AU50 with some
unimportant pin-point roughness in 2 tiny areas of the
obverse and a fairly good-sized scratch from the N in
CENT to the border on the reverse. . .Del, how he does
it is beyond me, happened upon this coin sitting quietly
in a dealer’s display case— properly attributed and for
sale to anyone who happened by. . .Once Del found it,
Dane would not let him out of his sight until he agreed to
sell it to him. . .1 ran into Dr. Ruby on Saturday and we
talked about his coins for a while. He’s kind of a crazy
old guy but interesting nonetheless. . .I’m in the process
of saving up for the Ruby sale. However, as you might
imagine. I’m always interested in any ‘94’s that are CC
or very near it. . .At present, I have the following variet¬
ies: S 19b, 21, 24 ,30, 32, 42, 44, 46, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60,
62, 63, 65, 69.”
John replies on March 5: “I’m delighted to hear of
your good fortune and envy you all with regard to such a
spirited meeting. It’s not easy to decide which is rarer—
a high grade Hays-4 or a public appearance by Ted N.
Affairs on this coast have been much less spectacular.
I hope to come into some respectable books/catalogs
very shortly and, if my patience doesn’t wear thin, a
nice S-52. In order to spring the latter, I was required
to get a lower grade substitute and, as a result, now own
two VG-lOs which were deemed unsatisfactory. A dis¬
covered VF-20 arrives in the mail momentarily and, if
as described, should provide the missing link to close a
yearlong campaign. However, this is really all part of
the fun and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Your S-58
is a momento fitting to the whole occasion. However,
the question of pedigree on this variety is quite up in
the air. The “Gilbert”-Hines coin (reverse plate in Penny
Whimsy) is not the piece pictured in the Gilbert-Elder
edition of Hays. The Newcomb-NN 50^^ cent is not the
Chapman plate example as advertised. . .Meanwhile,
the ANS owns three nice coins, the best of which can
be upgraded to an AU-50, with the runner up close to
XF-40. Like a dam fool, thinking that I had plates on
this variety matched off, I did not make detailed notes
on these three on my last trip through. Now, owing to
EAC outcries concerning preservation (these turned out
to be fully justified) and owing to the disappearance
of a few items (also called to the Society’s attention
by EAC members [emphasis added—Ed.], the copper
collection will not be made available for inspection until
the fall. In the nonce, ANS will photograph, catalog, and
hopefully bmsh its unloved chattels.”
The “yearlong campaign” to liberate an S-52 by
trade of course refers to the coin owned by Dorothy
Paschal. The mysterious A. D. Craig of San Francisco,
referred to in Part Two of this series, was the source of
the trade coin, following a flurry of correspondence.
Adams, January 23: “Thank you very much for the ex¬
cellent photos of your S-52. Assuming the color on the
coin is both natural and attractive, the piece would grade
about F-12 on the Sheldon scale , which is the equivalent
of a commercial VF. If an F-12, your coin would tie for
sixth in the new condition census. I would be willing to
pay $350 for your S-52, if the color is good .” Craig, Jan¬
uary 31: “The color is both natural and attractive, much
the color of a milk-chocolate candy-bar. I accept your
offer of $350. I will hold coin for you 10 days.” John’s
check went into the mail Febmary 2. On March 19, he
wrote Dorothy Paschal:
“Dear Dr. Dorothy: Perhaps I am a coward at heart
but I hate to put you on the spot in negotiating a price
for the Hays-9. Therefore, I decided to give you my
thoughts via letter so that you would be free to take your
time and either accept or reject. As for you coin, the Lor-
ing-Wright basal value is $35. The grade, in my opinion,
is VF-25 as it was listed in both Early American Cents
and Penny Whimsy. Whereas I have heard it said that
Herb’s is a better coin, this is certainly a moot ques¬
tion and, in any event, his does not have the fabulous
pedigree of yours. Therefore, I would use a multiplier
of IVi producing a total indicated price of $2187.50. As
for my coin, if you call it a 15 and use a VA multiplier
befitting its lower rank in the census, you come out with
an indicated value of $787.50. Thus, per my calculations
the net difference is $1400, which figure would be ac¬
ceptable to me if it were to you.”
On March 27, she agrees to the trade: “Thanks for
your good letter and the fair and reasonable offer on the
S-52 Hays-9 which I am happy to accept. Is there any
history on this 15 coin that you know of? No matter, re¬
ally, but would like to know as much as possible. It is a
12
nice example in any case.” [What happened to this coin?
It is not listed in the census in Breen’s Encyclopedia, or
in A1 Boka’s 17941argecents.com.—Ed.]
The first four months of 1973 also saw a number of
letters between John and Dr. Ned Bush. On January 26,
Bush writes, “As you probably know, I am a ’94 bug
also (I sure didn’t know that the Masters S-48 I bought
was an ex-Newcomb!) I have both the French and New¬
comb catalogues, yet I could not compare the coins as
you did. . .Instead of regional meetings like Silberman
suggests, let’s start a 1794 section.” John replies on Feb¬
ruary 14, “The idea of a section within FAC for 1794 is
beginning to grow on me. My first reaction was that it
would send prices through the roof but, if the group is
going to stay small, perhaps we can conspire to do the
reverse. . .As for your S-48,1 was the original buyer at
the Master’s sale and probably have the Newcomb en¬
velope somewhere in my things.”
On March 7, Bush outlines a determination for an
upcoming sale: “I’m going to bid in the Bitler sale on
3/17/73 using only Foring-Wright basal values and see
what happens. If I fail, it sounds like we need a solid
backing of ^ ’94 bugs, or forget the whole idea of hold¬
ing down prices.” John commiserated in a note the day
before the sale: “I want to get this letter off today so that
I can pretend to be a prophet as opposed to using hind¬
sight. However, from the talk around the circuit, it is my
strong opinion that you will not buy many of the Bitler
large cents using the Foring-Wright basal values. This
is not that I do not support your position 100%; in fact,
in the face of what seems to me maniacal enthusiasm,
I submitted no bids whatever. Whereas the open mar¬
ket for ’94 seems to be running away from me, I have
been fortunate in acquiring the odd piece by trade. Here
very recently Ted Naftzger enriched me by several of his
pieces in return for some pig with another date on it.”
Bush acknowledges on March 20, “I will give you
an ‘A’ for prognostication. I called Dane in F.A. the
night of the Bitler Sale and was indeed shocked at the
prices. It appears that I, likewise, got none of the cents.”
A week later, John writes, “Alas, the Bitler Sale. One
can hardly blame the 1794 Club for that fiasco as we had
not really gotten under way. I suppose it’s all part of the
fiight from the dollar and, hope against hope, will mod¬
erate when the monetary situation returns to normalcy.
. .To my knowledge, Ted Naftzger’s collection is as pri¬
vate as it is fabulous. I have a pretty good idea of his
holdings in 1794 but this was obtained in sundry Trade
negotiations’ which I consider privileged. There are a
few ex-REN’s in my cabinet, including the “Beckwith”
(really Chapman) S-20, the Downing S-36, the French
S-61, and the Maris-Hays S-72.” [The last-mentioned
was the final lot, #75, in the Adams FPF in 1982.—Ed.]
Bush writes again on April 2, “I hope you haven’t
heard the same news I have con[cerning] Dr. Sheldon’s
collection: sale to one owner without any public offer¬
ing . With all reverence to Dr. Sheldon, it would seem
almost heretical to devote one’s life to CC’s and the
collectors interest in it [sic], then completely reject the
latter.” John, too, had heard the rumor (April 11), but
“since these have come up from time to time in the past,
I would be inclined to doubt this particular version.
Moreover, even if it were true, the sale to a private col¬
lector would presumably free up a number of duplicates
which would inevitably appear on the market sooner or
later.” [Which, of course, is exactly what happened: fol¬
lowing the sale of Sheldon’s collection to Ted Naftzger,
the Naftzger duplicates appeared in the joint New Neth¬
erlands—Seaby Auction of November 1973.—Ed.]
Back to the prospective Ruby sale, on January 19,
John writes to Ira Goldberg at Superior: “As we dis¬
cussed over the phone yesterday, I have an abiding in¬
terest in Farge Cents—in particular the 1794s. I do a fair
amount of pedigree work on these coins. As a result, I
have come across and can use as a reference, if you re¬
quire, Dr. Sheldon, Walter Breen, and Dorothy Paschal.
As for the Ruby Collection, my number one interest at
this point would be the S-17a which was owned by Hays
(it’s the one with all the edge dents). I would hope that
you could sell me this coin as there are two others of
this variety of equivalent F-12 grade and six others of
lower grade.”
No reply appears in the file. Unable to buy the coin
privately in advance of the sale, John purchased it at the
first Ruby Sale. It subsequently appeared as lot 1 in his
1982 FPF.
That same week, Walter Breen responds to a ques¬
tion from John: “The Colonel James W. Ellsworth col¬
lection was never auctioned. Wayte Raymond, who had
sold him most of his rarest holdings, handled the dis¬
persal of Ellsworth’s material privately over the middle
1920’s, and I do not know of any record either of Ells¬
worth’s collection when it was intact or of the dispersal.
I do know that he sold material to practically every big
name in the hobby at the time.”
On February 23, Ray Chatham muses on the unpre¬
dictability of collector taste—even that of a collector
one knows well: “She [Dorothy Paschal] is just like any¬
body else about taste. I got together about 50 varieties
( no 1794’s), sent her the best 25 and she picked out 12.
Then I took the other 25 to Boston Jan. 3"^"^, all of which I
13
thought were borderline, and she took 13 of them!”
On Mareh 12, John writes to Willard Blaisdell, not¬
ing that “a major projeet has been to traee the various
Chapman plate eoins, of whieh there are 71. I’ve identi¬
fied 63, and in most eases, have some good elues on the
remaining eight. . .1 believe you own five of the Chap¬
man plate eoins (and perhaps more) ineluding Hays
numbers 5, 24, 33, 12, and 26. In two eases, I have piee-
es almost as good as your own so that, if you’d ever eon-
sider swapping. I’d be happy to throw in an appropriate
amount of eash. My goal is to own 14 of the Chapman
eents, whieh would be one more than the number now
ineareerated in ANS. The Admiral Bitler Sale is energet-
ieally eataloged, but eontains nothing to my faney. . .”
Three days later, Blaisdell replies, “The following is
a list of my 1794’s you asked about. If you can identify
them as Chapman plate coins, please advise.
Hays 4 - VF20 From BRUNO CROSSFIELD
S.F. 12.10.36
Hays 5 - MS60 H. NEWCOMB SALE 1945L21
Hays 12 - MS60 H. NEWCOMB SALE 1945
L28
Hays 24 - MS65 H. NEWCOMB SALE 1945
L41
Hays 26 -AU50/40 H. NEWCOMB PRIVATE
SALE 3.5.38
Hays 33 - AU50 H. NEWCOMB SALE 1945
L50
. . .1 saw a few of Admiral Bitters [sic] coins and they
were over described except in a few instances like the
1796, a gem. They forgot to mention some coins ap¬
peared to have been in a fire, corroded and badly pitted.”
The group of 1794 collectors had progressed to the
point of Darwin Palmer’s requesting (April 20) “each
interested collector and especially yourself to please
submit a short of medium length article for duplication
and dispersal. Your WHIST article was very good and
interesting. [“Two Masters Have a Go at It,” describing
a mythical continuation of the whist match mentioned
by Sheldon in his Epilog to Penny Whimsy; see Penny-
Wise VI, No. 6, November 1972, pp. 253-254.—Ed.]
How did you determine the grade of those (mostly com¬
mon) varieties not listed in the MEHL catalog of Dr.
French coll’n? Could you possibly write on the Johns
Hopkins coll’n as relates to 1794? Or any other item of
your choice. We really need some good collectors (like
you) to keep this thing going. We cannot subsist on the
paucity of 94 info in PW.”
John responds (April 26), “Enclosed is a brief piece
for your 1794 bulletin. I will be happy to do the Johns
Hopkins collection or further whist matches as interest
determines in succeeding issues. I look forward to re¬
ceiving the first publication.”
On May 2, Darwin sends this acknowledgement:
“Was very happy to receive your reply and article. It
was the first one. I hope other interested parties (whom
I wrote to) will be as willing and as prompt to reply. It
looks like I am doing nothing when other people delay
in response.”
In a followup note on May 9, Willard Blaisdell re¬
ports the results of some additional research: “It was a
pleasure to have you look over my 1794’s. I hope to
see your varieties sometime. As requested I checked the
S-44 [Hays 33]. It is not the Chapman plate coin. How¬
ever the S-56 [Hays 12] definitely is the same as the
Chapman plate as the minor imperfections in the dentils
clearly show on my coin and his plate. As you know,
this came out of the Newcomb Collection in 1945. So
this is one more to add to your knowledge as to where
they are.”
A series of letters between May 3 and May 30 refiect
a common-enough situation among passionate collec¬
tors: the ultimate indivisibility of a particular coin! I’ve
redacted the names—^because two of the three collectors
are still with us; and furthermore, the names don’t mat¬
ter. it’s the circumstance that matters! Let’s call them X,
Y, and Z: our own XYZ Affair! Del, as part of a long letter
on May 3, simply states, “Regarding the S-20, I would
like to have the coin.” On May 11, John responds, in an
effort of set a price, “All in all, I expect $1000 is about
the right number and, if you agree, send me a check and
I’ll send (sob) the coin.” But it’s not that simple. (Is it
ever?) On May 16, Del writes, “Enclosed is my check
for $1000 for the S-20 as per your letter received today.
I think X was made somewhat happier by the fact that I
think I have talked Y into selling him a non-collectible
which he wanted badly. But now Z is mad at me because
X had to cancel a possible trade in which Z would have
obtained X’s S-20. . .Ugh! Sometimes I feel like jump¬
ing in a hole and pulling the opening after me. I’ll have
to write Z and promise him something. Promises, prom¬
ises—^what a mess.” John’s laconic reply (May 30): “It
sounds like you’re up to your normal quota in trades and
dealing. However, with your personality, nobody can
stay mad at you for very long.”
In late May, John, in common all other members of
the Society, receives a form letter from the A.N.S. la¬
menting their latest financial crisis, and appealing for
financial help. This clearly ‘set the wheels turning,’ for
on the top of this May 22 missive, John has written:
14
Jjdi
l/ifLf. f^Qccn^ CJUjf
He follows this up with a letter to Margaret Thomp¬
son, Chief Curator, on May 31:
“After getting your letter regarding the acquisition
of the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of ancient
material, I was strongly motivated to help out and am
enclosing a small contribution towards same. However,
it struck me that I could do better by the Society and
also further my own self-interest by offering to purchase
a coin from your collection which might well be de¬
scribed as redundant. Here I am referring to the Gilbert-
Newcomb specimen of S-66. While this piece is by a
small margin the best of the three examples owned by
the Society, it was not, I believe, donated by Mr. Clapp,
as were the other two. Therefore, since the coin in ques¬
tion has a marvelous pedigree (which is my particular
fancy in collecting) and since further its de-accession
was not restricted by the Clapp bequest, I thought it
would be a natural coin on which to make a bid. I am
prepared to offer $4000 for this coin, a figure which I
believe to be approximately 50% higher than the current
market value. However, I would prefer to have the Soci¬
ety appraise the coin and then offer a generous premium
over that appraisal.”
Ms. Thompson’s June 6 reply puts the kibosh on this
proposal: “I probably did not make myself clear over the
telephone. We are now working over that section of our
material but until this is finished, which probably will
not be until autumn, we really will not know whether or
not there is duplicate material which should be disposed
of . .Furthermore, as I told you, our policy regarding
acquisition and the disposal of duplicates is being recon¬
sidered by the Council and until I know what the final
decision is we have all stopped segregating duplicate
material. In the future it is very likely that we shall be
disposing of less.”
And so, CC-2 of Sheldon-66 remains in the Soci¬
ety’s collection to this day—^pedigreed, by the way, like
their other two examples, to George H. Clapp. When
John had it down as “pre George Clapp,” he was right,
as regards the bulk of the Clapp bequest. It appears
Clapp donated this coin in 1944.
Meanwhile, there has been further communication
with Willard Blaisdell, this for the purpose of updating
the Condition Census on the cents of 1794. Apparently,
John had already told Blaisdell that he felt some of the
latter’s coins were overgraded, for on May 15, Blaisdell
writes, “As Dr. S has so well stated, there are always BS
grades (Buy-Sell). I think you are right that I might have
been liberal on a couple of them, but a strange thing hap¬
pens—the longer you look at a coin its grading tends to
look better. . .”
John pleads the demands of his business for his de¬
layed reply (June 19): “Another reason for my delay
is that I have temporarily misplaced my notes on your
collection. However, I did make a number of specific
entries from these notes into my own Census data and
a list of these grades is enclosed. Because these are my
personal grades, I have not relayed them to the Census
Committee and will not do so without your blessing.
However, to the extent that your coins are already in the
Census at your grades, it is my opinion that several of
them are in there at somewhat inflated levels.”
Bob Schuman’s letter of May 31 reflects on how a
numismatic interest can bring very disparate people to¬
gether, as true today as it was 41 years ago: “Much of
the talk these days centers around the Ruby sale and I’ve
certainly done my fair share of fantasizing. Hopefully,
we can meet at ANA and discuss some of our objec¬
tives. I’m really looking forward to the convention and
especially to meeting all the ’94 specialists. Having not
met most of them, I wonder how they will match up to
the vague mental pictures I have created. I’m sure I will
surprise a few people. My hair is fairly long and I tie it
in the back. When I first met Carl Windon out here, he
thought I was some ‘hippie’ who had accidentally wan¬
dered into the EAC meeting. Maybe if I give enough
advance warning, I can reduce the shock effect. It’s in¬
teresting though, how diverse a group of people cent
collectors are; and how it seems that when people are
bound together by a common interest, other differences
seem to fade. Dane and I, for example, are at completely
opposite poles both politically and philosophically. But
when we get together for a weekend we have a fantastic
time just talking about 1794’s.”
Having finally nailed the S-52, June 5 finds John
mentioning a number of other coins in Dorothy Pas¬
chal’s collection that he would dearly love to trade for:
“Dear Dr. Dorothy: Just a note for your files on vari¬
ous possible trading items in your collection.
Hays-26 (S-32) - your coin has a fabulous pedigree and
I would dearly love to own it; it is a fairly common
variety so that, if you are patient with me, a decent
example should turn up.
Hays-57 (S-20) - I have one which is approximately in
the same condition as your own. It is also the Chap¬
man Plate coin; however, because this is known as
15
the ‘Gilbert’ variety, I would love to explore a swap
with you the next time we visit. My pieee has lovely
eolor and surfaees and would, hopefully, be most
aeeeptable to you.
Hays-58 (S-53) - This is a fabulous eoin whieh anybody
would like to own. Unfortunately, as far as swap¬
ping material is eoneerned, the eupboard is pretty
bare - with an approximate 30-point gap between
your pieee and the next best. The Dupont eoin is
burnished; the Ruby eoin (F-15) is a sharp VF but
has a eonsiderable amount of eorrosion on the re¬
verse (this pieee will be available next January at
auetion). The next eoin listed in the eensus is an
F-12 owned by Gene Exman. I have never seen this
pieee and therefore have no idea as to whether it
would be aeeeptable to you. Doubtless you have
seen it and might have some ideas on this seore.
Hays-50 (S-69) - You have seen my speeimen and ap¬
parently like it but ean’t yet bear to part with your
own example whieh has that lovely brick red color.
I can’t blame you for holding on to it but I am ready
to trade when you have a mind to it.
Hays-36 (S-61) - this spectacular piece is rightfully in
your date set which, I hope, you have no intentions
of breaking up. However, if for any reason you do
dispose of it, I would at least like to announce my
interest. Ted N[aftzger] has a 70 coin and a 60 coin
of this variety so, hopefully, he would not be a com¬
petitor.
Many thanks for the list. Fd love to chat with you
about the coins at some point but wanted you to have
this letter in preference to taking notes over the phone.”
As we shall see, John was eventually able to acquire
all but the S-61 from “Dr. Dorothy.” They appeared as
lots 24, 8, 48, and 71, respectively, in his 1982 sale. And
as an interesting comment on updated Census grades—
and perhaps changing grading standards—^the “70” and
“60” coin owned by Ted Naftzger are now graded “60”
and “55,” respectively.
On June 20, W. W. Woodside of the Carnegie Muse¬
um expresses his appreciation for a copy of “The Ameri¬
can Numismatic Society and Mr. Clapp”:
“While I had no misgivings as to the quality of the
words flowing from your pen, I scarcely expect that
one who was never privileged to know Mr. Clapp will
do such justice to the old boy’s memory. I was so very
pleased with what you had written in Penny-Wise —and
I commend you for controlling the temptation to use
even more of Clapp’s quotes from the French Catalogue.
Thanks so much. We’re grateful for the copy. And don’t
forget your promised return visit to Pittsburgh.”
With the rumored sale of the Sheldon collection to
Ted Naftzger, the jockeying for position on Naftzger’s
soon-to-be-duplicates heats up. On June 28, John writes
to him:
“Dear Ted: Having heard something about you via
Denis, I was really delighted to catch up with the man
in person. Needless to say, in my unofficial position
of Resident Cent Historian, there is a long, long list of
questions which I hope to hit you with at some point
along the line. History aside, it was a personal pleasure
to have a chance to know you better. Enclosed is a check
for $4 since, seeing as you came some 3000 miles, I ab¬
solutely have to be the host at breakfast. Also enclosed
are some copies of correspondence that may be of some
interest to you in connection with the Clarke Collection.
I have not yet had a chance to talk to Denis re the 1794s.
However, for obvious selfish reasons, I hope something
can be worked out. It is my personal and I hope unbi¬
ased opinion that the loss of a dozen varieties of 1794
would not in any way affect the impact of the whole set
at auction. In fact, to the extent that some of the varieties
were quite common, the gaps might even be a source of
mystery and speculation.”
Ted’s reply is dated July 6:
“Thank you kindly for the breakfast check; though
unnecessary. The next one’s on me. Thank you for the
marvelous correspondence you sent me. Fascinating, re¬
ally. Many of the references fit right in. Denis wrote me
and included a list of the 1794’s of interest, plus a few
other numbers he is currently pursuing. Please know
that I am thinking about it; that I do have your inter¬
est in mind, but I don’t want you to hold your breath.
My present thinking is the same as I reflected to you in
Needham, namely polishing up an auction plan. Please
know that I do appreciate the thoughtful suggestion con¬
tained in your letter.”
Additional Dramatis Personae
Dr. Edward “Ned” Bush (1936-2009)
George Hubbard Clapp (1858-1949)
Roy E. “Ted” Naftzger (1924-2007)
Darwin B. Palmer, Jr. (1943-)
Dr. Robert Schuman (1945-)
Brief biographical notices of each of these collectors, as
well as those appearing in previous installments of this
series, may be found at A1 Boka’s web site, 17941arge-
cents.com .
(to be continued)
16
CROSBY’S SIGNATURE
Jim Neiswinter
During a recent visit to the American Numismatic
Society, I was going through the correspondence of
George Clapp. In a letter from Sydney Noe (ANS
curator) dated February 21, 1942, Clapp is told that Dr.
Thomas Hall’s copy of Sylvester Crosby’s 1897 book:
The United States Coinage of 1793-Cents and Half
Cents had been donated to the ANS by Henry Beckwith.
This copy has Hall’s annotations and interleaved notes
on his cents of 1793. Hall was best known for his book:
A Descriptive List of the Coppers Used by the Authority
for the State of Connecticut for the Year 1787, but he
also had a major interest in the cents of 1793.
I asked the ANS assistant librarian, Katie Rissetto,
if she would get me this book out of the rare book room.
She went to the computer and told me that the ANS has
four copies of this book. I asked to see them all.
The first was a 1933 reprint donated by David
Bullowa. The second was an original copy donated by
Crosby in March 1898. The third was the Dr. Hall copy.
This is the one I wanted to see. His first written page
was a list of the 1793 cents in his collection. This list,
comprised of 22 cents, was described using both Crosby
and Frossard numbers. It tells where he acquired each,
his grade, and his cost code telling what he paid for each
coin. He owned every variety of 1793, including all
NCs known at the time, except for the C14K (SI5). His
collection was sold intact to Virgil Brand in September
1909 - four months after his death. The fourth copy of
the book came from the Chapman brothers. There are
pencil notations by both brothers (Samuel Hudson and
Henry) on several pages.
After I finished with Hall’s copy I went back to
the copy that Crosby donated. It was worth a second
look. It didn’t take me more than a few seconds to
realize I was looking at Crosby’s signature on the first
page. My favorite numismatic personage has always
been Joseph N. T. Levick. He was a contemporary of
Crosby’s in the 1860s. It was Levick who produced the
first photographic plate in American numismatics of the
Types and Varieties of the U. S. Cent, 1793 in the April,
1869 edition of the American Journal of Numismatics.
Sylvester Crosby provided the written descriptions of
all the pictured varieties. Levick was a prolific signer
of auction catalogues. I have four in my collection, and
I’ve probably seen twenty others. However I had never
seen a signature of Sylvester Crosby. Now I was looking
at one. I went through the rest of the book and found no
annotations, but there was a letter taped to the back of
the inside cover.
This letter, addressed to J. N. T. Levick on Crosby’s
stationary, is dated Feb. 8, 1896. He asks for Levick’s
assistance in updating the information on the new
additions of 1793 cents discovered in the past 27 years.
Crosby is also going to add the varieties of 1793 half
cents. This letter was signed just as his name on the
first page - S. S. Crosby. So now I had two examples of
Crosby’s signature in the same book.
At the Baltimore coin show at the end of October,
I asked both George Kolbe and David Fanning if they
had ever seen an example of Crosby’s signature. After
thinking for a few minutes George did recall seeing his
signature once.
There is no letter from Levick replying to Crosby’s
request, but it doesn’t appear that he supplied any help.
On the first page of his book Crosby thanks six people
who did assist him. Besides Dr. Hall (who provided
almost all of the cents Crosby used to display the
varieties) there are two founding members of the Boston
Numismatic Society in 1860 - Augustine Shurtleff and
William Appleton. Shurtleff wrote the first published
variety study. About Cents, in the Boston Evening
Transcript on March 1, 1859 (very likely helped by
other future BNS members such as Appleton). Crosby
does reference the April 1869 AJN article. The United
States Cents of 1793 , but the name J. N. T. Levick is not
mentioned.
Crosby’s The Cents of 1793 was serialized in the
AJN starting in Oct. 1896 and ending in the July 1897
issue with the 1793 half cents. In late 1897 he published
200 copies of The United States Coinage of 1793-
Cents and Half Cents. This book is a reprint of his AJN
articles. The price was $2 a copy. T. R. Marvin & Sons
of Boston, the same firm that published the quarterly
American Journal of Numismatics, printed the book.
17
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18
A NEW LOOK FOR PENNY-WISE
Harry Salyards and Bill Eckberg
You have undoubtedly notieed a eouple of big
ehanges in this issue of Penny-Wise. First, we are now
publishing in eolor, and seeond, we have moved to a
two-eolumn format. Third, there are new and more ex¬
tensive ads. These ehanges are related to one another.
Members have been asking for a long time for P-W
to be published in eolor. While we often think of early
eoppers as “round and brown” and therefore relatively
monoehromatie, a look at the images in the EAC Grad¬
ing Guide or any of the major eopper auetions sinee the
Holmes I sale should eonvinee even the most skeptieal
reader that there is a huge amount of eolor variation in
early eopper eoins - so mueh so that it is very diffieult
to render a good image of an early eopper eoin in blaek-
and-white. Many of you probably remember when P-W
ehanged from a loose-leaf publieation on matte paper
to higher quality printing bound and on glossy paper in
2005. At the same time, we began assembling the issues
in PDF format; if you eheek your eopy of the Penny-
Wise Research Library on DVD you will notiee the
ehange. In 2006 we began plaeing eover images of in¬
teresting eoins and saving the PDF files in eolor. Now,
9 years later, we are finally printing our beloved journal
in eolor. We expeet that the eolor will not only render
images that are more pleasing to the eye, but also more
aeeurate.
We have gone to the two-eolumn format for two rea¬
sons: readability and eost savings. It should be obvious
that eolor printing is significantly more expensive than
black-and-white, and we don’t want to have to raise dues
on the membership. The two-column format allows us
to use smaller margins and slightly smaller type without
sacrificing readability. Indeed, we believe the narrower
columns actually make the printed word easier to fol¬
low. The key is that we believe we can reduce the num¬
ber of printed pages by at least 15-20% without reducing
the information in each issue, thereby saving money on
both printing and mailing costs.
The savings from the change in printing format,
however, by no means fully covers the increased costs
of color printing. Therefore, we approached the dealer
community, encouraging them to take out ads in support
of P-W and EAC in general. The response from dealers,
auctions houses and booksellers is gratifying, and we
thank the dealer community for its support.
But wait! There’s more!
We are going to offer members the option of hav¬
ing their issues sent by first class mail. Members who
wish to have quicker delivery by first class mail will be
able to get it for an additional charge of $10.00 per year.
This will not be a dues increase, and members who are
happy with the current USPS delivery ''schedule ” will
continue to receive their issues as they do now. If you
want first class delivery of P-W, please check the First
Class Delivery option on your renewal notice, packaged
with this issue.
We hope members like the changes as we move for¬
ward with P-W. We will have more to say about all of
this and will be happy to answer any questions at the
upcoming EAC convention in Dallas, TX.
Early American Coppers Annual Convention
Dallas (Irving), Texas
April 30-May 3, 2015
EAC 2015 is being held at the Sheraton DFW Ho¬
tel, 4440 West John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, TX
75063. The basic schedule is the same as in prior years
- a Thursday night reception, Thursday night Happen¬
ings, Bourse on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, a catered
dinner and copper discussion on Friday night, the EAC
Sale on Saturday night, and the General Membership
Meeting on Sunday morning.
Seminars will include the popular grading and
counterfeit detection class, taught by Steve Carr and
Doug Bird, on Thursday morning. The seminar is free
although advance registration is required. Contact Steve
Carr at (913) 940-5666 or scarr4002@everestkc.net .
The possibility of an outing to the George W. Bush
Presidential Library and Museum is being explored.
Group admission rates for 20 or more visitors are $10
(adult), $9 (senior and youth 13-17), and $6 (youth
5-12).
Hotel, Airport and Route Information: Reserva¬
tions at the Sheraton DFW Hotel can be made by call-
19
ing 888-627-8190. Mention EAC to get the room rate
of $139 for single or double-occupancy, or $179 for the
club-level. Additional adults are charged $10 each up to
a maximum of four per room. Hotel reservations must
be made no later than 5 PM (CST) on April 13, 2015.
The hotel offers free shuttle transportation to and from
the DEW Airport. Contact the hotel at 972-929-8400
for shuttle information. Complimentary hotel parking is
also provided.
For those considering a rental car, Dallas Love Field
is an alternate airport option, just 15 miles from the ho¬
tel. Airlines serving Love Field include Delta, South¬
west, United, and Virgin America. For those driving to
the convention, the hotel on the northeast side of DFW
airport. John Carpenter Freeway is also known as High¬
way 114, and the hotel is located at the Esters Blvd exit.
Convention Co-Chairmen:
Mark Borckardt (Bourse), Numismatician@gmail.com ,
(214)714-6030
Ed Jasper
Russ Butcher
John Bergner
Boyz of ^94: Wednesday April 29, 7:30 PM. Contact
Chuck Heck at check48@comcast.net .
Education Forum: Nathan Markowitz will again be in
charge of educational presentations at the convention.
He welcomes volunteers to give presentations on topics
of interest. Contact Nathan at P.O. Box 146, Springfield,
OR 97477 or at cascades 1787@vahoo.com .
Call for Volunteers: Can you help out for an hour or
two. We are looking for help with Registration, Sale Lot
Viewing, and the Happenings. Contact Mark Borckardt
for Registration and the Happenings.
For Sale Lot Viewing, contact John Bailey at (585) 787-
1928 or at JDBaileyl5@Rochester.rr.com .
Call for Donations: The Thursday evening reception
from 5 to 7 PM is planned as a sit-down dinner to recon¬
nect with old friends and make new ones. Donations to
cover the cost of the event should be sent to Emily Ma-
tuska, P.O. Box 2462, Heath, OH 43056. Make checks
payable to EAC.
Bourse: The 75-table bourse is nearly sold out. As of
January 1, 2015, we have one comer table ($500) and
four six-foot tables ($300 each) available for sale. Con¬
tact Mark Borckardt immediately if you would like a
table.
Security: Doug Davis will again provide security for
the convention as he did in 2008. A security room will
be available for use of all collectors and dealers.
Schedule: Further scheduling details will follow in the
April issue just prior to the convention.
CALL FOR EXHIBITS-EAC 2015
Ray Rouse
This is the second call for exhibits at the 2015 EAC
convention in Dallas, Texas.
If you would like to exhibit, please let me know
the title of your exhibit and the number of cases you
will need. I would be happy to provide information and
advice on your exhibit. Ray Rouse, 1539 SW 6^^ Court,
Boca Raton, FL 33486, cell 954-234-6240, or rayrpbfi@
comcast.net . Email is probably the best way to reach me.
As always, your coins do not have to be Condition
Census or R8 material. You have a captive audience of
copper people who love the stories early copper can tell.
You are not even limited to features of Large cents and
Half cents, I have done exhibits that featured Libertas
Americana Medals and Hard Times Tokens. See you in
Dallas!
CALL FOR SPEAKERS
Nathan Markowitz
This is the second formal call for speakers for the length and a projector is provided. Please contact Na-
2015 Educational Fomm at the Dallas EAC convention, than Markowitz at cascadesl787@ yahoo.com at your
Please don’t be shy—step up and share your passion for earliest convenience to volunteer for a presentation.
Early American Copper! Seminars are 30-45 minutes in
20
HALF CENT HAPPENINGS AT EAC
Ray Rouse
The EAC Half Cent Happenings were launched
in 1986 at the EAC in Washington D. C. They grew
out of brainstorming by Bill Weber, Rick Leonard, Jim
McGuigan, Roger Cohen, Don Valenziano, Dr. Wally
Lee, Steve Fischer, and Mike Packard, among others.
They wanted something that would provide some
Condition Census data, settle some “whose is better”
questions, and be fun for all.
In the March 1986 Penny-Wise, Rick Leonard
put out the call for half cent collectors who wished to
compare their examples with others to bring their 1797,
1803, and 1807 half cents to EAC in May. Joe Kane
(co-chairman) of the 1986 convention arranged for a
room at the hotel for the event.
This first year of the Half Cent Happening was
rather ambitious with ten varieties on display. The
numerous die states of one of the varieties, 1797 Cl,
made deciding which examples were the best overall
even tougher. However, much was learned, for example,
when the 1803 C2s were displayed it was found that the
16 participants had brought a total of 21 1803 C2s to the
show. At that time, 1803 C2 had been thought to be a
Rarity 6 variety. But with 21 on the table and a few more
in dealer cases, some rethinking was in order. Of course
the reason 16 collectors had 21 examples of 1803 C2 is
because of the die states. (Manley lists seven die states
for 1803 C2).
Rick Leonard gave a report on the first Half Cent
Happening in the July 1986 Penny-Wise. 16 collectors
exhibited half cents and about 50 EAC members came
to view their examples. The same problem was reported
by all: too many great coins and not enough time to
appreciate them.
Learning from the difficulties of their experience
in 1986 with ten different varieties, some of which had
numerous die states or under types that made comparison
difficult, only eight varieties were selected for showing
in 1987. By 1989 the number of varieties had shrunk
to six, which proved to be a more manageable number.
However, while the number of varieties decreased, the
number of participants viewing the coins or bringing
their coins for comparison has remained high. This is
true despite the development of a parallel event, the
Large Cent Happening, which draws a big following
each year. Today, most Half Cent Happenings have only
five or six different varieties to look at, but typically 15
or 16 collectors bring their half cent examples.
HALF CENTS SHOWN, BY YEAR, AT EAC HALF
CENT HAPPENINGS:
2014: 93 Cl, 96 Cl, 02 C2, 09 C2, 55 Cl, 36 Proofs
2013: 93 C2, 03 C2, 08 C2, 33 Cl, 33 Proofs, Liberty
Caps with under types or over spoiled large cents
2012: 94 Clb, 95 C2a, 05 Cl, 05 C3, 28 Cl, 52
Proofs
2011: 95 C6a, 04 C2, 11 Cl, 31 Original, misstruck
^2 cents
2010: 93 C4, 03 C3, 04 C13, 10 Cl, 50 Cl, Classic
Proofs (no 31s or 36s)
2009: 97 C3c, 04 C4, 09 C5, 32 C3, 49 Cl, 49 Proofs
2008: 95 Cl, 04 Cll, 08 C3, 28 C2, 48 Proofs
2007: 94 C9, 95 C3, 04 C9, 07 Cl, 26 C2, 47 Proofs
2006: 94 C8, 97 Cl, 03 C4, 06 C4, 34 Cl, 46 Proofs
2005: 95 C4, 04 C3, 05 Cl, 33 Cl, 45 Proofs
2004: 93 Cl, 04 C5, 04 C7, 09 Cl, 44 Proofs
2003: 94 edge errors, 03 Cl, 03 C2, 10 Cl, 43 Proofs
2002: 94 C7, 02 Cl, 02 C2, 32 Cl, 42 Proofs
2001: 94 C2a, 07 Cl, 08 Cl, 25 Cl, 41 Proofs
2000: 95 C5b, 97 C3a, 00 Cl, 05 C2, 40 Proofs
1999: 97 C2, 04 CIO, 06 C3, 11 C2, 36 Proofs
1998: 93 C3, 94 Cla, 95 C2b, 04 C12, 11 Cl, 51 Cl,
51 Proofs
1997: 93 C2, 97 C3b, 06 C2, 50 Cl, 1837 Token
1996: 96 Cl, 96 C2, 09 C4, 09 C6, 49 Cl, 49 Proofs
1995: 94 C6a, 94 C7, 04 C6, 29 Cl, 31 Cl
1994: 94 C5a, 94 C8, 94 C9, 04 C2, 04 C5, 09 C3, 09
C5
1993: 93 Cl, 93 C4, 04 C7, 04 C9, 10 Cl, 33 Cl
1992: 94 C3a, 94 C4a, 04 Cl, 09 Cl, 09 C2
1991: 94 Cla, 94 C2a, 00 Cl, 09 C4
1990: 95 C6a, 02 Cl, 02 C2, 26 Cl, 26 C2
1989: 95 C5a, 95 C5b, 04 C4, 04 Cll, 25 Cl, 25 C2
1988: 95 C3, 95 C4, 08 Cl, 08 C2, 08 C3, 32 Cl, 32
C2, 32 C3
1987: 95 Cl, 95 C2a, 05 Cl, 05 C2, 05 C3, 05 C4, 25
C1,25C2
1986: 97 Cl, 97 C2, 97 C3a, 97 C3b, 97 C3c, 03 Cl,
03 C2, 03 C3, 03 C4, 07 Cl
21
HALF CENTS BY VARIETY, MOST RECENTLY
SHOWN AT EAC:
1793 Cl
2014, 2004, 1993
1793 C2
2013, 1997
1793 C3
1998
1793 C4
2010, 1993
1794 Cla
1998, 1991
1794 Clb
2012
1794 C2a
2001, 1991
1794 C2b
1794 C3a
1992
1794 C3b
1794 C4a
1992
1794 C4b
1794 C5a
1994
1794 C5b
1794 C6a
1995
1794 C6b
1794 C7
2002, 1995
1794 C8
2006, 1994
1794 C9
2007, 1994
1795 Cl
2008, 1987
1795 C2a
2012, 1987
1795 C2b
1998
1795 C3
2007, 1988
1795 C4
2005, 1988
1795 C5a
1989
1795 C5b
2000, 1989
1795 C6a
2011, 1990
1795 C6b
1796 Cl
2014, 1996
1796 C2
1996
1797 Cl
2006, 1986
1797 C2
1999, 1986
1797 C3a
2000, 1986
1797 C3b
1997, 1986
1797 C3c
2009, 1986
1800 Cl
2000, 1991
1802 Cl
2002, 1990
1802 C2
2014, 2002, 1990
1803 Cl
2003, 1986
1803 C2
2013,2003, 1986
1803 C3
2010, 1986
1803 C4
2006, 1986
1804 Cl
1992
1804 C2
2011, 1994
1804 C3
2005
1804 C4
2009, 1989
1804 C5
2004, 1994
1804 C6
1995
1804 C7
2004, 1993
1804 C8
1804 C9
2007, 1993
1804 CIO
1999
1804 Cl 1
2008, 1989
1804 C12
1998
1804 C13
2010
1805 Cl
2012, 2005, 1987
1805 C2
2000, 1987
1805 C3
2012, 1987
1805 C4
1987
1806 Cl
1806 C2
1997
1806 C3
1999
1806 C4
2006
1807 Cl
2007, 2001, 1986
1808 Cl
2001, 1988
1808 C2
2013, 1988
1808 C3
2008, 1988
1809 Cl
2004, 1992
1809 C2
2014, 1992
1809 C3
1994
1809 C4
1996, 1991
1809 C5
2009, 1994
1809 C6
1996
1810C1
2010, 2003, 1993
1811 Cl
2011, 1998
1811 C2
1999
1825 Cl
2001, 1989, 1987
1825 C2
1989,1987
1826 Cl
1990
1826 C2
2007, 1990
1828 Cl
2012
1828 C2
2008
1828 C3
1829 Cl
1995
1831 Cl
2011, 1995
1832 Cl
2002, 1988
1832 C2
1988
1832 C3
2009, 1988
1833 Cl
2013,2005, 1993
1834 Cl
2006
1835 Cl
1835 C2
1836 Proofs
2014, 1999
1837 Token
1997
1840 to 1849 Proofs dates vary from 1996 to 2010
mostly matched by last two digits of date
1849 Cl
1996
1850 Cl
2010, 1997
1851 Cl
1998
1852 Proofs
2012
1853 Cl
22
1854 Cl -
1855 Cl 2014
1856 Cl -
1857 Cl -
When I talked to one of the participants in the original,
1986, half cent happening, Mike Packard, he was quick
to point out that the Happening had met its goals. It had
provided enjoyment for those who participated both as
exhibitors and viewers; it had provided an opportunity
to see the manifold characteristics exhibited by half cent
varieties, die states, and errors. In closing, I want to
thank all those who have shared both their half cents and
their enthusiasm with the many of us who would never
have the chance to enjoy them without the Half Cent
Happening.
THE 2015 HALF CENT HAPPENING VARIETIES
Mike Packard
Ray Rouse sent me a draft of his history of varieties
included in the EAC Half Cent Happening (elsewhere in
this issue). I noticed that there were 15 varieties we have
never included in the Happening (generally because the
varieties were either so rare that we could not expect
more than one or two to be shown, or so common that
everyone who collects half cents was likely to own one
or more). Another 28 varieties have not been included
in more than 15 years (way back in the last century). I
decided it was time we saw some of these varieties. I
sent a ballot to about 20 members who regularly bring
coins to the Happening (I apologize if I missed anyone)
with 18 randomly selected varieties from the 43 eligible.
I included some voting restrictions to ensure we had at
least one representative for each of the four head styles.
The results are in, and these are the 2015 Half Cent Hap¬
pening varieties:
1794 C-Ia Last seen in 1998, this is the fourth
most common 1794 variety. It is the only 1794 variety
readily available with large edge lettering.
1794 C-3a Last seen in 1992, this is the sixth most
common 1794 variety and is difficult to find in Very
Fine or higher grades.
1794 C-3b First Happening appearance. Only five
examples are known. They will be shown with the C-3a
so viewers can compare the differences in the size of the
edge letters.
1795 C-6b First Happening appearance. This is the
scarcer of the two thick planchet sub-varieties of 1795
half cents (the C-5b being the other). All are thought to
be struck from cut down spoiled large cents or large cent
blanks. Maybe, weTl see one with large cent undertype.
1804 C-I Last seen in 1992, it shows a massive
and impressive die sinking on the reverse in its late die
state.
1835 C-I First Happening appearance. This is a
common half cent variety with many uncirculated ex¬
amples thanks to the Elmer Sears hoard. We should see
some stunning examples.
1856 C-I First Happening appearance. Another
common variety. Some have a rust pit on the reverse at
the top of the I in UNITED. Did the rust pit disappear
because the die was polished or were there two dies?
Come look and voice your opinion.
If you would like to volunteer to be a monitor, contact
me at:
mikepackard@mac .com .
A good time awaits us at the 2015 Half Cent Hap¬
pening. Brush off your examples of the Happening
coins and bring them to Dallas. See you there.
2015 EAC CONVENTION LARGE CENT HAPPENING VARIETIES
David Johnson
Following are the Large Cent varieties selected
for this year’s Large Cent Happening in Dallas, Texas.
I have had many good suggestions. Thanks to all who
provided me with some very thoughtful selections!
A few items of business to get out of the way before
this year’s candidates are announced:
The Large Cent Happening will start right after the
opening reception on Thursday evening. For members
23
planning to exhibit coins, please plan on arriving with
your coins as early as possible after the reception. We
need a little time to complete exhibitor registration pa¬
perwork and ensure your coins are displayed in good
time for the start of the Happening.
Raw coins get handled at Happenings. If you are
planning on exhibiting and prefer not to have your
coin(s) handled, please plan on bringing your coin in an
air-tite or similar protective holder in which the coin can
be adequately viewed.
It’s important to note that the Happening is not just
about seeing the best and highest graded coins (although
that’s fun), but also about having the opportunity to view
neat examples and interesting die states side-by-side. If
you have interesting or tough die states to share, please
plan on bringing it/them to the Happening.
Here we go with this year’s varieties:
1794 S-34. A Head of ’94, and variety not seen before
at an EAC Happening. An R5+. A difficult variety that
is unknown in any finer than a low EF grade. A mere
four coins recorded in the census in VF or better. Sel¬
dom seen and having a few show up in Dallas is sure to
be a treat for both ’94 enthusiasts and Happening-goers
alike. Breen lists four die states.
1794 S-59. An R3 variety, Maris’s “Many Haired” de¬
scription. The variety should present plenty of opportu¬
nity to see some interesting die states, as Breen lists six
altogether, ranging from a “perfect die” state to a latest
state VI, exhibiting a large break and CUD that obliter¬
ates a nice sized area of the lower reverse.
1801 S-223. A common variety and one that is quite in¬
teresting. Another first-timer, with a nice progression of
die states to make for some interesting study if enough
different die states show up. Breen lists six die states. A
rare early die exhibiting a slight break at T in LIBERTY
progresses to a large break over RT, and on to a very rare
latest die state with a prominent cud at the bust tip and
rim. The S-223 reverse also holds plenty of interest - it’s
an error fraction 1/000.
1814 S-294. The Crosslet 4. Classic heads are a peren¬
nial favorite. Not much in the way of drama in the die
states (Breen lists two states), but there are some real
1814 Crosslet beauties out there. This category should
present some excellent eye-candy for those who appre¬
ciate that stuff Maybe an off-center or two will make an
appearance.
1817 N-2. An R3 variety. 1817s are always popular -
more than once being referred to as the 1794s of the
middle dates. The N-2 is a scarce variety with die states
and die cracks that offer enough interest. The early state,
which lacks the crack from the dentils through the first
S in STATES on to the wreath, is quite rare. The latest
state sports both obverse and reverse die cracks includ¬
ing a cool bisecting reverse die crack.
1839 N-12 Booby Head. Interestingly, this very popular
variety has not been seen at a Large Cent Happening.
The N-12 is a favorite of 39ers and early copper col¬
lectors alike. The N-12 presents some of the most inter¬
esting die states/progressions in the middle date series.
Mark Klein and Gavin Johnson offered up some inter¬
esting and thought and provoking reading on the 1839
N-12 in the April 2014 issue of P-W.
1847 N-2. The large 7 over small 7 variety. A popular
late date variety and one of three 7 over 7 recut varieties.
The date is repunched with the 7 over 7 strongly so. Bob
Grellman list three die states.
1852 N-11. A common variety, but with some interest¬
ing and rare (even extremely rare) die states exhibit¬
ing obverse cuds. The 1852 N-11 obverse has created a
good deal of interest and head scratching recently, with
the discovery of a previously unreported rim cud, seem¬
ingly migrating to a position between stars 1 and 2. Cur¬
rently known, single obverse cud positions are under 52
in the date (state c) and between stars 2 and three (state
d). This one should generate some interest and discus¬
sion and maybe fiush out an interesting example or two.
LASTLY, I can always use more helpers to pull this
event off, assist with the table/variety monitoring, the
sign-up desk, and giving fellow monitors a break and
chance to view the varieties. If you would like to assist,
please contact me at davidi ohnson1798@gmail.com .
Many thanks to all those special EAC’ers who have al¬
ready volunteered to help out! See you in Dallas!
24
BOYZ OF ’94 MEETING IN DALLAS
Bim Gander, Chuck Heck, Dan Trollan
Once again the Boyz will kick off the EAC conven¬
tion with an evening of coins, scotch, food, and espe¬
cially camaraderie. Remember - anyone can attend.
There are absolutely no rules to become a Boy of ’94.
All you need is the love of the game.
Mark Borckardt will have a meeting place for us at
the hotel; we start at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, April 29,
2015 and go till we cannot think clearly any longer. The
varieties we will look at this year are S-21, 34, 41, 58,
59, and 71. These coins offer a great range of die states
and should be very interesting to view. We will have a
digital microscope available for close up examination.
Also, why not bring a ’94 with an error or something
you find unusual? We are always open to anything new.
We are still searching for an S-32 with only three clash
marks on the reverse and one with only six clash marks.
We have had requests for Boyz hats and I will be
sure to bring some to the meeting. Please send me an
e-mail at check48@comcast.net with your order. Hats
are still $25. And lastly, be sure to bring a glass and I
don’t mean a magnifying glass. If you wind up drink¬
ing scotch from a plastic cup - it’s your own fault! See
you there.
GRADING AND COUNTERFEIT DETECTION SEMINAR - EAC 2015
Doug Bird and Steve Carr will again offer a
counterfeit and grading seminar at EAC in Dallas on
Thursday, April 30, from 9 am to noon. This seminar
is a great way to start your EAC experience. See old
friends, make new ones, and get a start on coppers
before the convention even begins! The seminar is open
to all EAC members who will be at the convention.
ANA SUMMER
Doug Bird and Steve Carr will also be offering an
“expanded” counterfeit and grading seminar at the ANA
Summer Seminar. This course will cover a number of
different skills plus lots of facts/assumptions to help
make you more knowledgeable on early American half
and large cents. This, all in a week surrounded with
other numismatists, the beautiful Colorado Rockies, and
some of the best copper numismatic literature found
anywhere.
This course usually covers attribution, grading
(EAC, technical, and market), how defects on the coin
If you are interested in attending this seminar, please
contact Steve Carr at scarr4002@everestkc.net or (913)
940-5666 for a reservation. We are often limited in the
number of people who can attend, so first come, first
served. Get your reservations in early to secure your
spot in the seminar.
If you have any coppers you would like the group to
look at, please let Steve know.
COURSE - 2015
affect grade, counterfeit detection, storage, history, and
quick finder tips. However, content can change focus
and who knows what we may cover. Most work is in
small groups. This course is offered during the second
week of the ANA Summer Seminar, held June 27 -
July 2 at Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO. To
register, contact either Steve or Doug, go to the ANA
website (money.org/summer-seminar), or call Susan
McMillan at (719) 482-9850. Bring your favorite loupe
and any coppers you would like to share with the class
and instructors.
EAC REGIONAL MEETING, BALTIMORE, NOVEMBER 1, 2014
Greg Fitzgibbon
The meeting was called to order a few minutes
past 1PM by Regional Secretary Greg Fitzgbbon. Our
regional president, Brett Dudek, was not feeling well
and was unable to attend. As is customary, we started
the meeting by having everyone introduce himself and
give a description of his collecting interests. We had one
guest in attendance along with the following 14 mem¬
bers;
25
Bill McMahon
Buffalo, NY
Ray Williams
Trenton, NJ
David Gladfeeter
Medford, NJ
Ed Fox
Spencerville, MD
Tom Wachtel
Geneseo, IE
Ken Finkenbinder
Baltimore, MD
Fred Cook
Bel Air, MD
Lawrence Ink
Beltsville, MD
Bill Eckberg
West Palm Beach, FL
Mike Packard
Fairfax, VA
Eric Hildebrandt
Watertown, MA
Scott Barrett
Bloomington, IN
Mike Demling
Linwood, NJ
Greg Fitzgibbon
Manassas, VA
After the introductions meeting was opened for
show and tell. Ken Finkenbinder passed around a nice
major type and almost complete date set of Half Cents.
The only date lacking was the very rare 1796. Bill Eck-
berg showed off a nice Turban Head Large Cent which
had recently been liberated from its plastic holder. Mike
Demling mentioned that at his table he had a copy of
a Philadelphia paper published in 1792 where the mint
was advertising that it was interested in purchasing cop¬
per for future coinage. After the meeting I inspected the
document and found it very interesting.
Some of the items discussed during the business
section of the meeting were:
Upcoming EAC conventions . Next year’s convention
will be in Dallas, which is a location that most people
can fly into. It should be a good time. The following year
we will be in Charlotte and then our 50^^ anniversary
convention will be held in Philadelphia in 2017.
The recent announcement of the club offering life mem¬
berships . There were a number of questions - too many
to cover here. If you have questions, a good place to
start is page 287 of the last issue (Oct 2014) of F-W.
One member present asked how he could get a copy
of the EAC grading guide. It is possible to pick up a
copy from some of the larger book dealers and each of
the recent issues of F-FT has ordering information as
well.
Since the grading guide was a great success, the
question was raised if there might be other book projects
in the works. EAC president Bill Eckberg responded
that none were at this time, but if anyone had a proposal
they could submit it to the board.
Some of the upcoming auctions were mentioned. By
the time this writeup is published another installment of
the Eric Newman Collection Sales will be in the history
books. A number of very rare Colonial pieces will have
been sold along with close to 300 large cents.
At the FUN show, close to 400 Colonial lots from
the Donald G. Partrick collection will offered. And then
in March 2015, Stack’s will be selling the Kendall col¬
lection, which is strong in Colonials as well.
And Bill Eckberg mentioned that there are plans in
the works to have an EAC table at the next FUN show.
There will be copies of the grading guide for people to
inspect and informational pamphlets.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:45PM.
WHAT EVERY SPOUSE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
THEIR SPOUSE’S COIN COLLECTION - 2015
Chuck
I have received several requests from EAC mem¬
bers and their spouses to hold another seminar during
the convention in Dallas this year. Three ladies came to
me jointly at the Colorado Springs convention and pep¬
pered me with questions and ideas that opened my eyes
to some new points of discussion.
Nathan Markowitz, our Educational Chairperson,
has added me to the list of speakers and now I am ask¬
ing for some help. It is very clear that members and their
spouses have signiflcant questions that deserve clear re-
Heck
sponses. So rather than put you to sleep with something
that I prepare, I will try a different approach.
Send me your questions now! Yes, right now! My
cell phone is 561-628-5345 and my e-mail address is
check48@comcast.net . If you e-mail be sure to place
“Seminar Question” in your Subject Line so I will know
the importance of the message. With advance knowl¬
edge of your questions I can be better prepared and offer
a seminar that truly meets your needs.
Thanks for your participation.
26
THE GARVIN FUND
Chuck Heck and John Kraljevich
The Garvin Fund began through the generos¬
ity of member David Garvin. He donated his entire
collection to be sold at the EAC 2005 sale. The pro¬
ceeds of $50,004 were segregated by EAC Board deci¬
sion into a fund, the earnings of which were to be used
strictly for educational purposes.
A committee was set up to examine ways to ad¬
minister the use of such earnings. When interest rates
dropped dramatically the Board voted to allow the use
of no more than $2,000 of principal each year. The com¬
mittee drafted guidelines for scholarships and grants and
the Board gave unanimous approval.
Since 2005 several awards have been issued, how¬
ever the Board has always hoped for a greater response.
Current opinion is that members may feel awkward ask¬
ing for a $1,000 scholarship or a $500 grant simply be¬
cause they spend $1,500 or $20,000 on a single coin.
The Garvin Fund is blind to the financial situation of
the applicant. There is no requirement to show financial
need.
Last year the Garvin Fund, through Board approval,
was used to finance the printing of the EAC Grading
Guide. The financial success of this venture has exceed¬
ed everyone’s expectations. Currently only 430 books
remain in inventory and if none of them sell the Garvin
Fund would still net a $15,000 profit.
The administrators of the fund would ask that you
reconsider applying for a scholarship or grant. As such,
we are extending the 2015 deadline to Febmary 28,
2015. We are also currently considering additional ways
to meet the educational objective of the fund. If you
have ideas, please, let us know your thoughts.
An application was included within the October
2014 issue of PENNY-WISE. An application can be
sent to you by contacting either Chuck Heck at 561-
628-5345 or check48@comcast.net or Jon Kraljevich at
JK@jkamericana.com .
Please remember the extended deadline — Feb¬
ruary 28, 2015.
CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP
The following candidates have applied for membership in EAC since the last issue of Penny-Wise. Provided that no
adverse comments on any particular individual are received by the Membership Committee before the April 2015
issue of P-W, all will be declared elected to full membership at that time. Chairman of the Membership Committee
is Bim Gander, 12770 NW Steelhead Falls Drive, Terrebonne, OR 97760.
Name
City, State
Member #
Byron Bond
Dalton, GA
6272
Jason Mondy
Louisville, KY
6273
Vincent Pamieri
Mechanicville, NY
6274
Brad Holt
Tullahoma, TN
6275
Lawrence Dembowski
Tuscon, AZ
6276
Eric Correira
Dighton, MA
6277
David Huang
Glenmore, PA
6278J
Kevin Winn
Tyngsboro, MA
6279
Blake Griffin
Centralia, IL
6280
David Cohen
New York, NY
6281
John Wilkolawski
Fresno, CA
6282
27
COPPER TRENDS
Dennis Fuoss
The Oct. 2014 issue of Penny-Wise had plenty of
thought-provoking material:
• First, an article by Bill Eckberg titled ‘'EARLY
COPPER PRICES ARE CHEAPT diverges
from the conventional wisdom that coin values
inevitably trend upward, and provides charts
to prove that there are some series (in certain
grades) that have lagged well behind inflation
in recent years.
• Next, another piece from Bill Eckberg, in which
he extols the virtues (in addition to noting the
vices) of “slabbing” (grading & encapsulation
by S’^'^-party grading services) for copper coins.
• Finally, Bill Noyes both entertains and educates
with his article titled “Penny Prices, Noyce is
NutsT Bill lists some reasons why auction prices
might not accurately reflect the real market
value of an individual variety in a particular
grade. He also provides a credible thesis for
stagnant (or dropping) values for scarce (R5)
large cent varieties: namely, simple supply &
demand (fewer collectors seeking low-grade
varieties, and more coins showing up in venues
like eBay)!
Reading this material really got me thinking about
what is going on in our beloved copper hobby. What is
going on?
There are a number of trends that are having an
impact on the market for copper coins. A few of these
are:
1. Certiflcation - like it or not, S’^'^-party grading and
encapsulation of early copper is a long-term trend that
is here now, and is not going away any time soon. Early
copper resisted the onslaught of slabbing longer than
all other U.S. coin series. Now, slabbing has come to
dominate the market, and coins sold raw are viewed with
a healthy dose of skepticism. The seeds of the market’s
preference for slabbing were planted with the many
“problem” coppers being sold. I put the word “problem”
in quotes on purpose; it has been my observation that,
while there is a broad spectrum of so-called problems
with copper coins, there is no universal agreement on
what constitutes a problem. An entire book could be
devoted to this subject (and, perhaps it should). Attempts
by the major grading services to identify copper coins
with problems represent noble ambitions, but the results
have been decidedly mixed. While I admit that it can
(at times) be difflcult to tell original from otherwise,
these folks are the self-professed experts. While EAC
grading provides the best means for making a market in
“problem” coins, the certiflcation services have won the
wider public relations war.
As one might expect, the grading services have been
far from perfect: The majority of average copper coins
are overgraded and/or overvalued by their slab grades.
Also, a signiflcant number of coins with problems
(cleaned, scratched, environmental damage, etc.) have
made it into slabs with numerical grades, and no mention
of the problems. I have seen coins with original planchet
roughness put in “Genuine” holders for “environmental
damage.” Conversely, cleaned and re-toned coins get
slabbed as original. Whether such inconsistencies could
ultimately lead to a loss of confldence in 3''^ party grading
and encapsulation of early copper is unclear. In the
meantime, EAC grading, and a credible price guide for
coins graded by EAC standards are your best defense.
There are also occasions when the slabbing of
an early copper can create opportunity for the astute
collector. For example, I have seen copper coins
undergraded by all the major grading services. This
can be the result of a simple error in judgment by the
grader, but more often there is a rational explanation for
the undergrading, such as a late die state, resulting in a
weak strike that is mistaken for wear by the grader. Early
copper aflcionados should constantly be on the lookout
for scarce varieties that have been slabbed without the
variety indicated on the holder. This situation can enable
one to acquire a scarce coin at a type coin price. A flnal
example of slabbed copper opportunity involves coins
with minor problems (a 5-point deduction or less in EAC
net grade) that have been encapsulated in “Genuine”
holders by the grading service. The “Genuine” label (aka
“kiss of death”) can severely limit the price the coin will
realize in an auction, but it can create a small bonanza
for the copper fanatic with grading skill and confldence.
2. Haves and have-nots - The quest for the best
continues unabated, both in American society and the
early copper community. While the tendency to pay
more for the best coins was already evident in Sheldon’s
day (I suggest you re-read the Penny Whimsy chapter,
“Toward a Science of Cent Values,” with particular
emphasis on the section about the Condition Census),
the trend over the last 10 years has accelerated. There
28
is a slight twist now, since a collector now needs to
be aware of BOTH the EAC condition census and the
PCGS Set Registry ranking (or NGC equivalent). It was
quite exhilarating for me to watch the Walt Husak 1794
S-67 (PCGS MS67 RB) hammer for $425,000. The
same variety in VF sells for about $2000. More recently,
at the Missouri Cabinet Half Cent sale, we witnessed a
1811 Cl graded MS66 RB by PCGS sell for more than
$1 million, while the finest (or 2'''^) 1796 no-pole Cl (a
legendary rarity, but graded only MS65 BN by PCGS)
did not quite make it (it hammered for $775,000). The
contrast in perceived value between condition and rarity
provided by this example seems quite stark (to me). I
can question the logic of buying only the coins that have
been judged as “finest” by the arbiters in Irvine, but
there can be no doubt about the power of their opinions
in the marketplace.
3. Rarity vs. Quality - Harry Salyards brought
this issue into focus with his editorial comments in
the April 2014 issue of P-W, titled “DOES RARITY
STILL MATTER?” Harry pointed out the apparent
disparity in prices realized for some truly rare large cent
varieties in the recent Goldberg’s Phil Ralls collection
auction, compared with common varieties in high-grade
(certified) holders. This discussion goes beyond the issue
of slab service grading V5. EAC grading to ask us whether
anyone actually cares about rarity anymore, or if we
have all become “type” collectors (a type coin collector
seeks a high-grade coin to represent each design “type”
or style, and usually is satisfied with the most common
variety of the type). This thread was picked up by Tyler
Rusnak in the July 2014 issue of P-W. Tyler asserts that
(to paraphrase) “Rarity really does not matter, because
Demand drives coin prices.” He illustrates this case well
by contrasting recent trends in the prices of VG chain
cents (rare as a type, even though the most common
variety is R3-) and the prices of VG Liberty Cap cents
(with many R1 varieties). I agree wholeheartedly with
this logic, but I do not think the rise of traditional type
coin collecting fiilly explains the copper market trends. I
believe that the market for copper is getting fragmented
along lines of specialization.
Consider the following example: Traditional type
coin collectors would only need seven different cent
types: Chain, Wreath, Liberty Cap, Draped Bust, Classic
Head, Coronet, and Braided Hair. In this scenario, there
is no need for an 1801 “3-Errors Reverse” cent, since it
falls into the broader Draped Bust type. However, we
have seen healthy increases in demand (and prices) for
3-Error coins. The answer to this conundrum (I believe)
is that Red Book type coin collectors are driving the
demand for 3-Error cents. Inclusion in the annual Guide
Book of United States Coins creates more interest in that
coin type. Of course. Red Book type collecting is just
one example of specialized collecting of early copper.
4. Specialization - The increase in collector
specialization seems like a natural consequence of
the dual trends of increasing prices and wider interest
in early coins. I wrote about this trend in Penny-Wise
back in March 2011. With the cost of a full Sheldon set
approaching $lmillion+, and the prospect that many of
the coins in this hypothetical Sheldon set will be “less
than beautiful,” it is no wonder to me that many folks
will conclude that they prefer a different collecting goal.
The publication of many informative and profusely
illustrated volumes on our beloved early copper series
has also created an academic raison d’etre for many
copper specialists. On the personal level, I experienced
the fervor of specialized collecting on at least two recent
occasions: First, I was asked to execute a number of bids
at the Dan Holmes part-2 auction for an EAC friend
(a dozen coins or more). The coins he was seeking
were all rare and interesting die states of Middle Date
cent varieties, and the maximum bids he quoted were
multiples of the then-current guide {CQR) values. I think
I was able to win just one lot for him! Next, I attended the
late-date cent group meeting at EAC in Ohio (2013). I
found the late-date Illuminati all engaged in an animated
session of “show and tell,” along with a discussion of
various cuds and die-states. This consumed the bulk of
the meeting.
As another example of specialized collecting, I
have personally embarked on a mission to assemble a
full set of Sheldon numbered cent varieties from 1796
- this alone is a serious challenge, but I have added to
the degree of difficulty by also trying to obtain coins
that have significant collectors in their provenance (an
homage to John W. Adams with his 1794s).
Although I have not yet met one, I am sure there
are specialists out there buying nothing but various
die-states of 1804 C-6 half cents (they are just so
darn interesting!). There must be literally hundreds
of variations on the theme of specialized early copper
collections.
5. Demographics - Are we really getting older?
YES. I do not have the statistics for EAC, but the
anecdotal evidence from any coin auction or bourse
provides ample evidence that the collector base has
aged. Do demographics have any impact on the coin
market? It may be hard to measure, but I think the
inescapable answer is “yes.” People usually become
29
sellers when they get older (or, their heirs beeome the
sellers). Does this mean trouble for the eoin hobby?
Probably! With fewer new eolleetors to join the eoin
elubs or buy the eoins, a downward spiral in the hobby
eould develop. But there is hope. Certain popular mint
produetions enjoy vigorous sales—^witness the baseball
eommemoratives this past spring. More to the point of
“our” kind of eoins, the aequaintanees to whom I show
old eopper eoins always express surprise and interest
in the historieal eontext for these objeets. Instead of
foeusing on the eonstant hyping of “the best of the best,”
we should be foeusing on the amount of history you ean
hold in your hand for less than $100. We believe that
eolleeting early eopper eoins is stimulating, edueational,
and fun. If we ean sueeessfully eonvey our enthusiasm
for these eoins to like-minded individuals, some of them
are likely to join us.
6. Teehnology - The Internet has dramatieally
ehanged eommeree in general and the eoin business in
partieular. Briek & mortar eoin stores are an endangered
speeies. Hand-to-hand eoin transaetions have beeome
inereasingly eoneentrated on eoin bourse floors and
periodie eoin auetions. There have been winners and
losers in this shift. Colleetors have been both winners
and losers. While the personal toueh has been largely
lost, the opportunity to view and buy eoins on-line
has expanded. Information available to the eolleetor
has vastly improved in my time in the hobby (I began
eolleeting seriously in the late 1980s). Mobile and
wireless teehnologies eontinue to disrupt various
business models. EAC eannot (and should not) sit out
this teehnology revolution.
How ean EAC remain vibrant and relevant in the
faee of these trends? My view is that we should adapt
where neeessary, and retain the eore values that have
made EAC the speeial elub that it has been from the
start. Our eurrent elub offleers are an exeellent group
to lead EAC into the future. They all exhibit both the
brains to solve our problems, and the enthusiasm to
overeome obstaeles. Teehnology should enable EAC
to improve our proeesses and simplify logisties. Our
eopper speeialists should volunteer to edueate other
EAC members. We all ean assist in the effort to broaden
the appeal of EAC. My personal reasons for joining
EAC were the desire to learn more about eopper, and
meet like-minded eolleetors. The reason I still belong to
EAC has more to do with the people in the elub than the
eoins. I hope this does not sound like heresy - naturally,
I still enjoy a niee eoin! But for me, the eandor and the
eamaraderie are worth at least as mueh as the eopper.
IN SEARCH OF ROBERT D. BOOK
Chuck Heck
If you have ever searehed pedigree ehains in Dr.
Sheldon’s PENNY WHIMSY, the Noyes books, the
Breen-Bland-Borekardt book, or A1 Boka’s website, you
will notiee the “R. D. Book” name rather frequently.
In almost all eases the name immediately follow¬
ing in the ehain will be that of George H. Clapp (1858-
1949). Clapp donated his own primary eolleetion to the
AmerieanNumismatie Soeiety (ANS) and his seeondary
eolleetion to the Carnegie Museum. At the ANS eaeh of
the large eents is safely housed in a T. J. Clarke box,
the baek of whieh eontains Clapp’s metieulous notes re¬
garding die state and pedigree information.
In a letter dated January 20, 1945 from Clapp to
Homer Downing, Clapp discusses his early 1870’s
interest in eoin collecting.^ He writes that in 1877 he
needed to turn his attention to work (that bad four-let-
1 Letter, George H. Clapp to Homer K. Downing,
January 20, 1945; John W. Adams Papers, box 2, folder 10,
Archives, American Numismatic Society.
ter word). He returned to his eolleeting interests in the
early 1920s. From 1921 to 1924 he purehased his older
brother Charles’ signifleant eent eolleetion. His diary
and donation reeords indieate that in Mareh of 1921
brother Charles made a gift to George of some very pret¬
ty large eents. The gift ineluded some signifleant 1794
large eents - Hays 17, 21, 22, 26, and 43. Translated
into Sheldon numbers they are: Sheldon 24, 26, 25, 32,
and 22 respeetively. All appear to be ehoiee XF or better
exeept for the H-21 (S-26). That eoin, a VF35 for sharp¬
ness, net VGIO for rim damage, was the only known
perfeet reverse for some 90 years. Signifleant eoins to
say the least! There were more eoins ineluded in the
gift and it may just be the trigger that unleashed Clapp’s
voraeious appetite for the eoins. The letter goes on to
state that in May 1930 he purehased the entire Robert D.
Book eolleetion.
So what do we know about Mr. Book? Census re¬
eords show he was born on June 2, 1862 in Allegheny
(now part of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania to David M.
30
Book and Maria Book. Robert was given the middle
name of Donnell, his mother’s maiden name. Thanks to
Wayne Homren, editor of the E-Sylum and a biblioma-
niae luminary, we know that the 1878 Pittsburgh City
Direetory lists Book as a eoin dealer in Allegheny, PA.^
The same direetory lists Book as a eorrespondenee elerk
at the First National Bank of Pittsburgh in 1884, a teller
at the bank in 1892, and an assistant eashier in 1898.
As of 1910 he and wife Martha had been married for
nine years and had two ehildren, daughter Barbara and
younger son Wilson. It appears that Book did quite well
at the bank as the 1920 eensus indieates his job deserip-
tion as Viee Chairman, presumably at the same bank.
That same eensus lists four live-in servants at their home
in Sewiekley PA.
Book had been bitten early by the numismatie bug.
A eoin dealer at 16 years of age, he joined the Western
Pennsylvania Numismatie Soeiety just 3 weeks before
his 17^^ birthday.^ By the 1920s he had assembled a sig-
nifieant large eent eolleetion.
2 Wayne K. Homren, “THE EARLY HISTORY OF
THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA NUMISMATIC SOCI¬
ETY,” (1992, 1998): 18.
3 Ibid.
It is not entirely elear, but it appears that Book had
relatives from his mother’s side who lived in Canada.
After spending just three weeks with his wife in Mus-
koka County, Ontario, Book died from a eerebral hem¬
orrhage on July 22, 1929. Two days later he was bur¬
ied in Allegheny Cemetery in what is now Pittsburgh.
Aeeording to the aforementioned letter to Downing,
Clapp purchased the entire Book collection in May of
1930. By mere chance I uncovered an undated handwrit¬
ten note in the John F. Jones archives that states that
Martha Book was paid some $20,000 for the collection.
Yes, seven months after the October 1929 stock market
crash, Clapp spent $20,000 on his hobby.
The Book collection was so rich in varieties and die
states that 90 of his early date specimens survived up¬
grading and were included in the Clapp donation made
to thcANS in 1946.4
More to come as the hunt continues.
4 Note, undated, in the handwriting of John F.
Jones, President of the Chautauqua Coin Club, referencing
Jones’ discussion with Wilson Book, son of Robert D. Book.
Secretary Archives, folder “John F. Jones”, American Nu¬
mismatic Society. Hopefully transferred to the John F. Jones
archives, also held at the ANS.
COLLECTING ^^REJECTS”
Ray Rouse
One of the great advantages of being an EAC mem¬
ber is that you get to meet a lot of nice people, many
of whom are advanced early copper collectors. Many
EAC’ers have been collecting large cents and half cents
for multiple years. In that time, they have looked at nu¬
merous examples of various varieties, and have bought,
sold, and traded coins in building the collections that
they now own. Virtually all EAC members have du¬
plicates that they acquired before finding the coin they
really wanted for their collection piece. Herein lies your
opportunity!
As collectors, we all try to acquire the nicest coins
we can find and afford for our collections. As we fill
more holes and find better examples, we end up with
duplicates that we are not sure what to do with. Some
we try to sell or trade to the dealers that we regularly
patronize. Others we show to our collector friends in
hopes of reselling or trading for something that they
have. Still others we may place in auctions in hopes of
replenishing our coin funds.
While we all have aspirations toward our personal
idealized collections, when a “new” high-quality coin
comes on the market, it invariably lands in the hands of
one of the “advanced” collectors before you even know
it is available. Why is this so? Well, the dealers all
know who has been buying the more expensive, high-
quality coins and who can just write a check and not
worry about making payments over several months. So
the high-end collectors get the great new coins; but each
great new coin may LEAVE THEM WITH A DUPLI¬
CATE.
As an average collector, I was happy when I got a
better than average example of a coin. However some
“advanced” collectors are not content with a nice ex¬
ample; they want the best. Thus, if they have a great ex¬
ample (in my view) of say the Condition Census number
7 of a Rarity 5 coin and the Condition Census number 3
comes up for sale, they are in the chase. That is good for
you because their Condition Census number 7 may then
come onto the market.
31
Some of the “advanced” collectors are even coin
dealers. For example: when looking at the coins found
at coin shows in the case of “advanced” half cent collec¬
tor and dealer, Jim McGuigan, I often found his dupli¬
cates as he upgraded his collection. Simply put, his du¬
plicates were better than anything I could find and often
(truth to tell) better than anything I could afford. Still,
with time payments some came my way.
Auction results give you additional opportunities.
Now, I know that you didn’t get to buy that great coin in
the sale that went for more than you could afford. BUT
WHO DID? Probably it went to some “advanced” col¬
lector that you know or at least know of Even if you
did not attend the auction you may be able to find out
who got it. It is not unusual for the buyer to show it
around in order to have other collectors appreciate his
or her new acquisition. When you find out who has it,
then it is not inappropriate to ask them if they had an
example that has now become a duplicate. If they now
have a duplicate you might be able to get it to fill that
hole in your collection, or their duplicate may be a great
improvement on the coin that you have now.
When a great collection comes on the auction block,
say the Missouri Cabinet collection of half cents or the
Dan Holmes collection of large cents, even “advanced”
collectors have been known to stretch a little to get the
coins they want, so after an auction is a great time to
buy their “old” example as they too need to refill their
financial coffers.
The Half Cent Happenings and Large Cent Happen¬
ings at EAC let you find out who has some of the better
copper collections. Networking, getting to know these
collectors, their collections, and being part of the group
of collectors that supports and takes part in EAC and
the Happenings will give you additional opportunities
to build your collection. This happens more often than
you might think.
It is not unusual for me to get several phone calls a
year in which the subject is about a new coin that a EAC
friend of mine acquired—one that I have only seen as
a picture in an auction catalogue or on the internet and
would love to see in the “copper.” Often I try to find a
way to see it by having my friend bring it to a show or
a meeting that we will both be attending. Now since I
know that he showed another example of that variety at
an EAC Happening, I know that he now has a duplicate.
Moreover, as I have seen that duplicate, I can make a
judgment as to whether or not I would like to own it. If
so, I will of course try to negotiate a change of hands.
Without networking and participating in EAC, these op¬
portunities would not exist.
So my recommendation is simple. Build contacts
with other EAC collectors and build your collection by
collecting advanced collectors’ “rejects.”
Continued from page 4 - INTRODUCTION BY THE EDITOR
to collect. A Sheldon-119 in Fine at $1500 is every bit
as historic, and evocative of its time, as its Mint State
‘cousin.’ If that’s still too rich for your blood, an 1803
Draped Bust S-258 or S-260 in Fine should be under
$500. Well over 150 Middle Date varieties in Fine
should be available for under $100. And with very few
exceptions, the Late Dates in Fine should run you under
$50, the dates in the 1850s under $30.
In pursuing such coins, to assure good value for
your dollar, you should apply the sharpness standards
outlined in the Grading Guide for Early American Cop¬
per Coins. (There is dreck out there, called “Fine,” that
most certainly isn’t.) If that means buying a slabbed coin
with a “VF” label to get a true Fine, so be it! Make sure
you pay attention to the color and surfaces of the coin,
as well; again, see the EAC Grading Guide for details.
In completing such a purchase, you will have acquired
a “sharp and desirable coin,” to recur to Jim Johnson’s
1962 description. A nice coin for your collection. Most
definitely not a ‘dog,’ even if it’s not the sort of thing to
garner headlines in the numismatic press.
Because “eye candy” isn’t everything.
Articles and letters published in Penny-Wise and the opinions and viewpoints expressed therein are those of
the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Early American Coppers, the Editor or any other of-
flcial of the club. Penny-Wise reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, clarity and accuracy.
If your mailing address changes, be sure to notify the Treasurer promptly, as the United States Postal Service
does not forward copies of Penny-Wise.
32
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
To: hpsalyar@tcgcs.com
Cc: halfcent@mac.com
Dane Nielsen writes,
Having read the Oetober issue of F-fV for a
seeond time, I wish to get off my couch and once
again express appreciation for your work (and I know
that it is). The publieation has rarely been as strong
as it has been recently...such a pleasure not to feel Dr.
Salyards’ disappointment and frustration at having little
material in hand for a pending issue. Such reports were
never encouraging to any of us who loved our journal
and appreciated (in so many ways) our editor. Please,
Harry, remain at your post at least as long as there are
oTtimers like me who eare.
To you Bill, again, thank you! How long sinee we
have had a leader willing to “mix it up,” sharing his
musings with us (and without ever giving offense).
The quality of your writing together with that of our
editor are standards to whieh all of our eontributors ean
aspire. I look forward to reading everything as it filters
from your keyboard to all of us. Your affeetion for old
eoppers as well as for our friends who eolleet them is a
warm and weleome eombination.
Can hardly wait for the January F-FTl Thanks again!
Dave Bowers writes,
I have just spent an enjoyable hour or more with the
Oetober 2014 issue. Very, very nice! Now I know more
about the West 57th Street Hoard than ever — great fun!
It is interesting to read about market ehanges. I
don’t know if this has ever been mentioned in print or to
any extent, but copper eoins stand by themselves, with
perhaps silver coins coming in second, as very pleasing
to own and look at even if they are well worn. This is
not true of either gold eoins or niekel-alloy coins. Also,
a large cent in AU or MS-60 grade ean be very attractive
and well-worth ineluding in a high-level collection,
whereas a silver, nickel or gold eoin would probably be
turned away if a eollector eould afford a better speeimen.
Some time ago I started to try to put together a
Guidebook varieties eolleetion of eents from 1816 to
1857, selecting MS-60 as the grade, eaeh one cheeked
for eye appeal. The 1839/6 was impossible, and I never
did get an 1823/2 or 1823 Perfect Date, but most of the
others were aequired over time. There is something very
attraetive about a eent from the 1820s that has glossy
brown surfaees and is in, as mentioned, MS-60.
SWAPS AND SALES
EACers are invited to submit their ads for inclusion in this column. Ads up to twelve lines are free.
ADS LARGER THAN 12 LINES MUST BE SUBMITTED CAMERA-READY OR AS ELECTRONIC
FILES, AND PAID IN ADVANCE. A full-page ad is $250. One-half page is $125. Discounts are available
for repeating ads. Ads should be limited to early American Coppers or tokens and books related to the
same. Deadline for material to appear in the April 2015 issue is March 25, 2015. All ads must include the
individual membership number of a current member in good standing. Copy should be sent to the Editor,
Harry E. Salyards, RO. Box 1691, Hastings, NE 68902 or by email to hpsalar@tcgs.com .
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Early American Coppers, Inc. publisher of Penny-Wise, does not examine any of the material advertised in
Penny-Wise, nor does it review any of the advertising therein. Early American Coppers, Inc. assumes no
responsibility or liability for any advertisement (or the material described therein) and no party shall have
recourse against Early American Coppers, Inc. All transactions arising from or relating to any advertise¬
ment in Penny-Wise shall strictly be between the parties thereto.
1468 Timber lane Drive
John D. Wright, EAC #7
St. Joseph, MI 49085
The CENT Book 1816-1839. The standard reference on this series.
Big, clear pictures, fiill discussions, easy attribution.
Lists at $125 plus postage.
Special to EAC members at $100 postpaid.
Please email us at theJohn@,SBCglobal.net
Allan Davisson, EAC #3299 PO Box 323 Cold Spring, MN 56320
(320) 685-3835 fax (320) 685-8636 info@davcoin.com
EXCEPTIONAL COPPER FROM THE 1790s: British tokens and books about them. We publish Dalton
and Hamer, distribute the new 19th century copper token reference and stay in close touch with the British
token market. We offer hundreds of 18th century “Conder” tokens each year as well as other series includ¬
ing 19th century copper, silver and (occasionally) gold tokens, British medals, British copper currency and
out-of-print and important books and catalogs about tokens. Write for a free catalog.
EARLY COPPER AUCTIONS
Bob Grellman, EAC #575 P.O. Box 17226 Amelia Island, FL 32035-3138
407-221-1654 (cell) email: jrgrellman@gmail.com
Consignments for Auction: I am accepting consignments for all McCawley & Grellman (M&G)/Gold-
berg auctions. Call for details.
Late Date Large Cent Book: The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840-1857 is available
for immediate delivery. Every known die variety and die state is fiilly described with additional rarity
information for rare die states. The book is hardbound with 464 pages and over 100 photos. Price is $100
postpaid. Autographed on request.
An Interesting Selection of 18*'' Century British Tokens
Plus some Regal and Colonial Coins and a few Odds and Ends
Many tokens currently listed on our web site and inventory is updated frequently.
Please take a look - comments and commentary welcome.
Always in the market to buy—contact me at your convenience.
Gary Groll EAC #4814 CTCC—EAC—C4—ANA
4004 NW Witham Hill Drive #164, Corvallis, OR 97330
443.223.0399—garv@grollcoins.com—www.grollcoins.com
Mike Shutty, EAC #2790
If you are a serious collector, I think you will like my book on collecting. If you have ever wondered why
we devote so much time and energy to studying the bits of copper we all love, I think this book will get
you started on a journey of self discovery. Check it out.
One Coin is Never Enough: How and Why We Collect.
My book is available directly from Krause Publishing or from Internet sellers like Amazon.com. It is not
expensive, and I think EAC members will like this book.
Jim Neiswinter, EAC #1819 302 Fendale St. Franklin Sq., N.Y. 11010
(516)659-2940 i_neiswinter@hotmail.com
http://nathan334.wix.com/the-aristocrat
The Aristocrat
The Story of the 1793 Sheldon 15
$75 + $5 shipping
John Dirnbauer, EAC #571 P.O. Box 196 Thomaston, ME 04861-0196
j ohn@j ohndimbauercoins. com 207.354.3573 www. j ohndimbauercoins. com
It is time for the annual John Dirnbauer Rare Coins Collector Appreciation Sale. From January 1
through February 28, 2015 we will offer a 15% discount on all coins listed on our website with the ex¬
ception of the three coins listed on the home page. The year 2014 was the best year of our full-time eight
years in the coin business. Mickey and 1 owe much to our friends and supporters in early copper com¬
munity. This sale offers a chance for us to say thank you. 1 encourage you to take a few minutes to check
out the possibilities. Good hunting. Enjoy your coins and your numismatic library.
Mabel Ann Wright, EAC #78 1468 Timberlane Drive St. Joseph, Ml 49085
We still have some copies of The CENT Book 1816-1839.
Ask anybody who has one or has seen one—you want this book.
We are selling what we have to EAC members at $100 postpaid.
Please email us at theJohn@,SBCglobal.net
PRO VENANCE GALLERY OF 1794 LARGE CENTS
Order your copy of the reference book featuring the most coveted and prolific date among the early United
States Large Cents. The book includes an overview of the formation of the US monetary system and the
first Philadelphia mint, as well as the production of what many consider the ultimate numismatic subject:
the Cents of 1794. It includes a brief history of large cent collecting and their collectors, descriptions of
collectible obverse & reverse designs, and colorful photographic plates of each coin featured in the 1794
Provenance Exhibit at the 2004 EAC Convention in San Diego. Prologue by John W. Adams. $25 post¬
paid.
A1 Boka, EAC #406. 9817 Royal Lamb Drive Las Vegas, NV 89145
Tel: 702-809-2620 email: eac406@aol.com www.1794LargeCents.com
A SMALL HOARD OF EAC COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS which has been off the
market for well over a decade will once again be offered to the general membership on a first-come, first-
served basis! Order yours now, as there is no telling how long this limited supply will last!
The first medal is the 30th year commemorative issue, in copper, plain edge, larger than a silver dollar,
issued 1997. Draped bust obverse with the legend Founded 1967. Reverse: 30 YEARS, encircled with a
chain and the legend, EARLY AMERICAN COPPERS 1997. Gem brilliant, flawless surfaces.
The second is the 2000 Cape Canaveral Convention Commemorative, in copper, plain edge, larger than a
dollar. This obverse features the obverse of 1794. The reverse has the space shuttle soaring over the state
of Florida, with the legend EAC 2000 Cape Canaveral Florida April 6-9. Gem brilliant, flawless surfaces.
The medals are offered at $5.00 each, plus postage. ALL PROCEEDS TO EAC!!
Also, some recent issues of Penny-Wise are $3.00 each.
Please place all medal orders, and/or inquire about available R-IF issues:
bimgander@,gmail.com
Bim Gander, Membership Chair
12770 NW Steelhead Falls Drive
Terrebonne, OR 97760
An Atrribution Guide for
New Jersey Coppers
Not since Dr. Maris published his work on the
New Jersey Coppers in 1881 has there been a
Comprehensive Analysis and Attribution Guide
of New Jersey Colonial coppers.
Available direct from Author !
A new publication of 228 pages in five
chapters outlining methods for Attributing
the New Jersey Colonial Copper Coinage.
With two chapters exclusively dedicated to
large photos showing Obverse and Reverse
die combinations.
""Over 200 Copies Sold'^
newjerseycoppers@comcast.net
Available in several formats and sizes priced as follows
Soft bound- Spiral bound 8.5 x 11-$44.95 + $3.95 shipping
Soft bound- Spiral Bound 5.5 x 6.75 (New reduced size)-$34.95 + $3.95 shipping
Both Soft Bound- Spiral bound the pair at a reduced price-$73.95 + $4.95 shipping
Hard Bound edition- 8.5 x 11.$94.95 + $4.95 shipping
Leather Bound limited edition- Limited to 25 copies-$249.95 shipping included
Deluxe Leather Bound limited edition- Limited to 10 copies-$359.95 shipping included
Michael DemlingPO Box 1 \ \ ^ Linwood, NJ 08221
MarHOIr«crtc IJ
—c
Marh (Hrrcric 14
ftrrtBLTtgpjrTs
Tom Reynolds, EAC#222
P.O. Box 390001
Omaha, NE 68139
Office: 402-895-3065 Cell: 402-210-7222
1794 C-6a R-5- Sharpness: G6 Net: G5 Condition: A+
Brown with smooth, glossy surfaces. The center of the reverse is weakly struck. There is a light mark to
the right of the final A. A nice example of a scarce Half Sister. $3250
1795 C-6b R-5 Sharpness: VGIO Net: VG7 Condition: A
Plain Edge, No Pole, Thick Planchet. Brown with smooth surfaces. The 5 is weak but readable. The
obverse rim was lightly smoothed long ago from 3:00 to 4:30. Weight: 115.1 grains. Ex-2002 EAC sale.
Lot 27. $5900
1804 C-7 R-4 Sharpness: F12+ Net: F12 Condition: A++
Crosslet 4, Stems, Spiked Chin. Medium brown with smooth surfaces. Some very minor marks. State
1 . 0 . $2000
1795 S-76b R-1 Sharpness: F15 Net: F15 Condition: A++
Plain Edge. Medium brown with choice surfaces. There is a tiny mint clip at 7:30. There is a larger mint
clip at 4:00. $1600
1801 S-216 R-1 Sharpness: XF40+ Net: XF40 Condition: A+
Blunts 1 ’s. Medium brown with smooth, glossy surfaces. There is a light mark to the right of the Y.
There is a small 5% mint clip at 11:00.. Removed from a NGC holder graded AU50. Ex-Doug Bird.
$4500
1802 S-236 R-1 Sharpness: VF35 Net: VF30 Condition: A+
Brown with smooth surfaces. Some minor marks. EDS, with a rim cud over STA. Removed from a NGC
holder graded XF40. $ 1500
1816 N6 R-2 Sharpness: AU50+ Net: AU50 Condition: C
Mottled brown and light brown with choice, frosty surfaces. There is a peep of mint red. There are some
tiny marks. Removed from a PCGS holder graded AU53. $1350
1828 NIO R-1 Sharpness: AU50 Net: XF45+ Condition: A+
Small Date. Brown with smooth, frosty surfaces. Some very minor marks. $2500
1840 N9 R-3 Sharpness: AU58 Net: AU55 Condition: A+
Brown with smooth, frosty surfaces. Some very minor marks. State c. Removed from a PCGS holder
graded MS63BN. Condition Census #10. $1350
1852 N7 R-1 Sharpness: MS63 Net: MS63 Condition: C
Medium brown with choice, frosty surfaces. State d. Tied for Condition Census #2. Removed from a
NGC holder graded MS64BN. $ 1250
EAC DALLAS, TX 2015
GREAT COINS BRING GREAT
PRICES
IN THE EAC CLUB SALE
We want your consignment,
But please consign early.
This sale fills up quickly.
Deadline; February 21, 2015.
We request a minimum lot value of $300 this year.
CONTACT:
Chris McCawley
PO Box 6400
Austin, TX 78762
(405) 297-2116
cmccawlev@aol.com
www.earlvcents.com
Shawn Yancey
PO Box 2731
Springfield, MO 65801
(417) 890-6569
(417) 848-1090 (cell)
shawnyancey@mchsi.com
Stack’s Bowers Galleries Presents
The Henry P. Kendall Foundation Collection
Consign Alongside This Historic Collection in the
Official Auction of the Whitman Coin &: Collectibles Spring Expo
March 26-29,2015 | Baltimore, MD | Consignment Deadline: February 2,2015
We are delighted to present this impressive array of colonial, early American, confederate states and related
coinage, sold on behalf of the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, an American philanthropic enterprise that has
focused on environmental issues for more than 50 years.
r¥iNi) TO ox
1792 Cent. Silver Center.
Judd-1, Pollock-1. Rarity-6-i-.
Copper with Silver Plug. Reeded Edge.
AU-53 (PCGS). Secure Holder. CAC.
1861 Confederate Cent. Original.
Breen-8005. Copper-Nickel.
Specimen-62 (PCGS).
1783 John Chalmers
Threepence. W-1760.
MS-62 (PCGS).
1861 Confederate Half Dollar.
Original. Breen-8000.
Proof-40 (NGC).
1790 Standish Barry
Threepence. W-8510.
EF-45 (PCGS). CAC.
1670-A 15 Sols.
Paris Mint. Hodder-4.
VF-35 (PCGS). CAC.
1787 Excelsior Copper. W-5790.
George Clinton—Overstruck on an
Immunis Columbia Copper,
Eagle Reverse—
EF-40 (PCGS).
Secure Holder. CAC.
1792 Birch Cent. Judd-4, Pollock-5.
Rarity-7-. Copper. Lettered Edge:
TO BE ESTEEMED ^ BE USEFUL ^
AU-58 (PCGS). Secure Holder. CAC.
Undated (Circa 1616) Sommer Islands
Threepence. BMA Type 1. Small Portholes.
EF-40 (PCGS). Secure Holder.
Undated (1659) Lord Baltimore
Fourpence, or Groat. Hodder 1-A.
Large Bust, Hyphen in TERRAE - MARIAE.
1652 Willow Tree Shilling. Noe 3-C, AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
Salmon 3-C. Rarity-6. AU-55 (PCGS).
Secure Holder. CAC.
1776 Continental Dollar. Newman 1-C.
CURENCY. Pewter. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.
Contact us today to include your U.S. coins, paper money, tokens or medals alongside this historic
collection. For more information, please contact a consignment director at 800.458.4646 (West Coast),
800.566.2580 (East Coast) or Consign@StacksBowers.com.
Showcase Auctions
800.458.4646 West Coast Office • 800.566.2580 East Coast Office
1063 McGaw Avenue Ste 100, Irvine, CA 92614 • 949.253.0916
Info@StacksBowers.com • StacksBowers.com
New York • Hong Kong • Irvine • Paris • Wolfeboro
sBG Pennywise Kendall 150105 Amcrica’s Oldcst uud Most Accomplishcd Rare Coin Auctioneer
• $29.95
• 320 Pages
• Full Color
• Volume 17 of
THE Bowers Seiues
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study. Although tliete are major rarities in tlie series,
most of the issues are very affordable. Novice and
experienced collectors alike, as well as histoiy'buffs
and everyone interested in the Jackson era, will
find the new Guide Book ofHard Times Tokens an
indispensable reference. Inside, youll find a wealth
of information not in print in any other single
source. Award-winning author Q. David Bowers
includes recent research findings, hundreds of high-
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HERITAGE
EAC COMES TO DALLAS
SAVE TH E DATE
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
EAC MEMBERS:
Heritage will be offering a
special behind the scenes tour
of our world headquarters
in Dallas followed by
complimentary lunch.
Annual Sales Exceed $900 Million | 850,000+ Online Bidder-Members
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DALLAS I NEW YORK I BEVERLY HILLS I SAN FRANCISCO I HOUSTON I PARIS I GENEVA
THE WORLD'S LARGEST NUMISMATIC AUCTIONEER
HERITAGE^*,
AUCTION
Licensed Auctioneer Andrea Voss: CA Bond # LSM0602700; Paul Minshull #LSM0605473. Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.: CA Bond #LSM0602703; Heritage
Auctioneers & Galleries, Inc: CA-Bond #RSB2005644. Buyer's Premium 17.5%;see HA.com for details. HERITAGE® Reg. U.S. Pat. &TM Off. | 35410
PRE-LONG BEACH
AUCTION U.S. HIGHLIGHTS
January IS - 27,201S
Over 900 Lots of Colonials, Half Cents & Large Cents!
LOTS
1652 Pine Tree Shilling
PCGS MS-61
LOT 53
1792 Washington Roman Head Cent
PCGS Proof 64 BR
LOT 79
1793 C-2 Half Cent
Missouri Cabinet Collection
PCGS MS-63 BR
LOT 81
1793 C-3 Half Cent
AU-50
LOT 97
1796 C-2 Half Cent
AU Details
LOT 187
1831 Half Cent
PCGS PF-62 R&B
LOT 255
1794 Cent
S-47VF-25
LOT 297
1796 gent
S-89 PCGS XF-40
r~^JRA & LArRRY/--^
<^OLDBERCj
McCawley-Grellman
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IRA 8? LARRY GOLDBERG COINS & COLLECTIBLES, INC.
11400 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 800 Los Angeles CA 90064
PH 310-551-2646 • FAX 310-551-2626 • TOLL FREE 800-978-2646
www.goldbergcoins.com
EARLY AMERICAN COPPER
_ isn’t just half cents and large cents
American Historical Medals \
Colonial and Early American Coins
World Coins That Circulated in Early America
And some large cents too
John Kraljevich Americana
WWWJKAMERICANA.COM
PO Box 1939
Fort Mill, SC 29716
EAC 3208 since 1989
jk@jkamericana.com
443.454.7588
The Standard Reference on United States Large Cents
by William C. Noyes
UNITED STATES
LARGE CENTS
1733- y':'U
WII.IIAMC-ff-flVf*
T he standard references on United States large cents,
soon to be complete in six hardbound, 400+ page
volumes, each with 1500-2000 color photographs
illustrating the finest known examples, up to 12 in the condition
census, plus die states and pedigrees. Attention is drawn to
the detail shown for the late dates often with 5 cuts shown
providing diagnostics for their attribution. The Fugio Copper
coinage title contains 190 pages with 500 color photos. The
deluxe editions are bound by the Flarcourt Bindery in Boston.
UNll ED STATES
LARGE CENTS
I1797
IVH.l f. NtftKS
UNITED S I A J ES
LARGE CENTS
isic ms
CNOVES
UNITED
Sl'ATES
lar(;e
CENTS
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SuiKi|( llrK^ iVwFi M ni L'NItliU dml| rnmi hifb of I'Jtl Litm ntudc E In UNltlll}.
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it Di? diiflully fiHjrn. F«uit lirw« over K nod nh«k E rcnuin. Kim iiiid mcr U.
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Noyes:
Volume 1 -1793-1794.$190.00
Volume 2-1795-1797.$ 160.00
Volume 3-4 - 1798-1814.in preparation
Volume 5-6- 1816-1857,
2 volumes.$230.00
Edition in Morocco.$ 1,100.00
Shipping $15.00 per order
The Standard Reference
on The Fugio Copper
by Eric P. Newman
UNITED STATES
I L'ClO COPPER COINAGE
or
mi
Newman:
The Fugio Copper Coinage.$125.00
Edition in Morocco
signed by Newman.$550.00
Available Exclusively From:
EAC 142
Charles Davis ^ P. O. Box 1 Wenham, Mass 01984
www.numisbook.com
Garvin Scholarship/Research Grant Application - 2016
Name
Address
Telephone_ Applying for: $1000 Scholarship
$500 Research Grant
EAC# Date Joined EAC
$1000 Scholarship requirements:
1. What class, seminar, conference, etc. will you attend? Where and when will it be held? Please attach a flyer,
application, or any documentation regarding the class, seminar, conference, etc.
2. Please indicate and document how you have shared your numismatic knowledge with others during your
lifetime. Possible instances can include:
a. Giving a presentation to a non-numismatic entity, ex. A school, community service organization,
home for the aged. Boy or Girl Scouts, etc.
b. Presenting a program or seminar at a coin club or coin show.
c. Writing articles for local, regional, or national numismatic publications.
d. Service in leadership positions for local, regional, or national numismatic clubs or organizations.
e. Volunteer work for local, regional, or national numismatic clubs or organizations in an effort to
insure a successful speciflc program or show.
3. By signing this application, you agree that should you receive an EAC Scholarship you will prepare and
submit an original article to Penny-Wise discussing the subject matter of the class or seminar including
personal observations or comments. Such article will be due no later than four (4) months from the end of
such class or seminar.
$500 Research Grant requirements:
1. Please submit documentation showing the nature and timing of the research being conducted and its direct
relation to early American copper.
2. Please submit original documents (to be returned) showing clearly the nature and amount of such expendi¬
tures that relate directly to the research being conducted.
3. By signing this application, you agree that should you receive an EAC grant you will prepare and submit
an original article to Penny-Wise that summarizes yet details the objectives of the research project. Such
article will be due no later than four (4) months from the completion of the research covered under the grant.
Note Well: This application must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2015 to be considered for the calendar
year 2016. Also, you must be an EAC member in good standing for at least the prior 12 months.
Signature:_Date:_
Mail this application to either:
John Kraljevich, PO Box 1939, Fort Mill, SC 29716 orjk@jkamericana.com
Chuck Heck, PO Box 3498, Lantana, EL 33465-3498 or check48@comcast.net
Specialist in
Early American Copper
Colonials
Half Cents • Large Cents
Colonial Coins
Half Cents
1793-1857
Large Cents
(1793-1796)
Large Cents
(1796-1814)
Matron Head Large
Cents (1816-1839)
Coronet Head Large
Cents (1840-1857)
972-668-1575
cmccawley@aol.com
Visit our website at
www.earlycents.com
Chris Victor-McCawley
P.O. Box 1510, Frisco, TX 75034
The definitive work on the
True Political Hard Times
Tokens (142 pages).
Fully illustrated in color.
Retail $90
Special $65
Postage Paid
Chris McCawley
& Lucas Baldridge
Member ^ t
r> M n Member
L i 'rN'vJ Early American Coppers
Professional Numismatists Guild ^ ^
Hi, I'm Lucas Baldridge and have recently started
working full time with my uncle "The Numismatic
Godfather" aka Chris McCawley. You can like our
Facebook page under Early Cents and stay up to date
on our latest show schedule. You can also view our
frequently updated new purchases on our website at
earlycents.com. I am excited to be here learning and
working towards our future numismatic endeavors.
I
I
I ' .1
F RI SCO M
. 'Hr li
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iv't
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Travis
Your #1 choice in the finest quality and widest
selection of Early American Colonials, Half Cents,
and Large Cents on Ebay. Over 2000 early coppers
listed with both raw and top tier 3rd party graded
coins available, new inventory added daily. Weekly,
no reserve, $0.99 cent auctions. Elexible and
committed to building the collection YOU want,
new or experienced numismatists alike. Contact us
through Ebay, Email, or call us directly and we’ll
help find what you’re looking for.
C# 972-390-9497
214-912-6644
Ibaldrigecvm @ live .com
travis .hollon@hotmail .com
ffiiiUMiii
S-4 Chain Cent. R3+. Graded MS-60 by both Bland and Noyes and called CC #2 by both. Ex\ George
W. Merritt; Edouard Frossard (1/1879), lot 79; Edouard Frossard; Lorin G. Parmelee (New York Coin &
Stamp Co., 6/1890), lot 668; Harlan P. Smith; Virgil M. Brand; Brand Estate (2/7/1941); B.G. Johnson
(St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co., 2/18/1943); Abe KosofF; Oscar J. Pearl; Numismatic Gallery (1944 FPL),
lot 3; T. James Clarke (10/1954); R.E. Naftzger, Jr. (2/23/1992); Eric Streiner; Jay Parrino (The Mint).
Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Early American Coppers
Membership Dues Notice for July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016
SEE THE NEW ADDRESS FOR MAILING DUES
January 1,2015
Print your name and mailing address for PENNY-WISE:
Telephone #:
E-mail address:
Dues are payable by June 30, 2014 for the period 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015.
If your dues expire before June 30, 2015, please contact our Treasurer
( rmatuska@roadrunner.com ) for your renewal dues rate.
Regular dues (including new members) $39 _
Associate members send $10.00
Junior members send $5.00 (under 18 yrs old at 7/1/14)
Life Membership is $1000, payable in two equal installments _
First Class mailing option for having all 4 issues of PW mailed via
First Class US Mail $10.00 _
Make checks payable to EAC.
Mail to: EAC
PC Box 2462
Heath, OH 43056
Total Sent,
$
Request for Donations for the EAC Reception 2015 -
Colorado Springs, CO
For over 35 years EAC has hosted a Thursday evening reeeption for
members to eateh-up and meet, mingle, and mix, while enjoying some
good food and drink. Greeting old friends after a long year, meeting and
making new friends have been a hallmark event for us. One of our Board
members has often said that the coins drew him to EAC many years ago,
but it’s the friendships that he values the most. Let this convention
continue the trend.
We ask that you make your personal EAC Convention a memorable one.
Go outside the box and introduce yourself to someone you have never
met before; or someone you know you would like to meet; or someone
that you think may possibly be able to answer a question that you have.
There is no jacket and tie, no tuxedo or gown required.
Make your convention one that will be hard to forget.
In the past, any EAC member who wishes to act as a host of the
reception has made a donation. The generosity of the host members has
made this event an enjoyable experience for all who are able to attend.
EAC thanks you in advance for any way you can help.
See you in Dallas April 30 - May 2, 2015.
Checks can be made payable to “EAC” and mailed to EAC at PO Box
2462, Heath, OH 43056.
Donations are tax deductible and will be acknowledged.
Please Use the Pre-printed Envelope for Mailing
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